Rick Nash has been playing at an All-Star level

Here's something few would have thought in the past: Rick Nash could be the Rangers' only shoo-in for the NHL All-Star Game.

Marian Gaborik, Dan Girardi and Henrik Lundqvist represented the Rangers in the last All-Star Game in 2012 in Ottawa -- the lockout and the Winter Olympics postponed the last two All-Star games.

This year's game will be played in late January. Lundqvist, who also appeared in the 2011 game, is always a popular choice but on stats alone, he will have to ramp up his game. Lundqvist has posted three shutouts, but otherwise has had a below-average start. He is 7-4-2 with a 2.57 GAA and a .912 save percentage (his career GAA is 2.27, and career save percentage is .920).

In the East, Detroit's Jimmy Howard, Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury, Montreal's Carey Price and Tampa Bay's Ben Bishop have better numbers right now.

But this is about Nash, who, after an ineffective playoff run, has become dangerous again.

With 12 goals and 18 points in 16 games, Nash, who played his 800th NHL game on Saturday in Pittsburgh, is on pace for 60 goals. That's a reach, but where would the Blueshirts be without him?

A nice touch is that the All-Star game is in Columbus, the town where Nash achieved his greatest success -- well, at least during the regular season -- and where he has a summer home.

Now 30 and a father, Nash worked hard in the offseason to regain speed and conditioning, and it is paying off.

"In camp, you could see he was all-business," said Derick Brassard, who is centering Nash and Martin St. Louis.The current Rangers do have a group of players from the 2011 All-Star game in Raleigh, N.C.: Nash, Lundqvist, St. Louis, Dan Boyle, Marc Staal and also Derek Stepan, from the rookie game.

It's a long road to January and things can change: Brassard or St. Louis could earn spots in the next six weeks. But top blueliner Ryan McDonagh (separated shoulder) will have missed at least all of November -- the Rangers' defense is having trouble staying out of the trainer's room this season.

Sidney Crosby is a lock and unless the Leafs spin off the rails on Bay Street, so is Phil Kessel, with 10 goals and 11 assists. And everybody loves Nashville rookie Filip Forsberg, who has eight goals, 12 assists and led the NHL in plus-minus (19) through Friday.

So there you have it, you read it here, just as the winter is reaching out with icy fingers: the first music-themed All-Star prediction: Crosby, Phil(s) and Nash.

Garden party for Callahan?

When former captain Ryan Callahan returns to the Garden tomorrow for his first game since the trade to Tampa last April -- when he was shipped out after declining to accept a lucrative contract offer -- will there be a video tribute? Why not?

Callahan was drafted by the Rangers in 2004, and played hard every season, starting in 2006-07, and was named captain in September, 2011.

"Cally was my first captain here and he was very good to our team and myself," coach Alain Vigneault said Friday. "Anton [Stralman] and Brian Boyle had major roles on our team. I'm happy that they are doing well and playing on one of the best teams in our conference."

Mohawk, but no blue lines

The Mohawk's back. Kevin Klein, who sported one with the Predators during the playoffs in April 2012, has returned to that distinctive look. At least it's one color: Remember former Leaf Brian McCabe's bright blue-dyed Mohawk?

Talbot's backup plan(s)

Nothing's official, but the educated guess is that backup Cam Talbot (0-2-1, 3.48 GAA) will make his next starts in Buffalo on Friday and the day after Thanksgiving in Philadelphia in the first of a back-to-back. Vigneault had said he would get three or four starts this month. Speaking of Talbot, he and his wife have bought a house in Ancaster, Ontario, not far from the Hamilton Golf and Country Club, which has hosted the Canadian Open several times. "Too bad it'' private," Talbot said. Asked if he could afford the membership, Talbot, a free agent this summer, joked: "Maybe next contract."