Report: Hossa anticipates playoff return

DETROIT, April 10 (UPI) -- Detroit Red Wings right wing Marian Hossa hopes to return to action in time for the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Detroit News reported Friday.

The report said Hossa underwent an MRI Friday for a groin injury suffered in Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators and the exam revealed no torn muscle. Team officials advised him to miss the team's regular-season finale Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

"I'm pretty optimistic," he told the newspaper. "I had some groin injuries before, but this one doesn't seem like something that would bother me as much."

"He'd like to play Sunday, but we're not going to play him," said General Manager Ken Holland. "Right now, everything looks good."

Hossa recorded his 40th goal of the season in Detroit's 4-1 win over Buffalo Monday, giving him at least 40 goals in a season three times his 13-year NHL career.