The news was good regarding Marian Hossa Friday at Joe Louis Arena.
An MRI taken early in the morning showed no tear on the injured groin Hossa sustained Thursday against the Nashville Predators.
Hossa will miss the final two games of the regular season this weekend against Chicago. But he's expected to be ready for the start of the playoffs next week. Hossa stayed off the ice Friday as the Wings practiced.
"I've had some groin injuries before, but this thing doesn't bother me as much," said Hossa, who added he is "pretty optimistic" he'll be ready for the playoffs.
Hossa was actually pushing to play the regular season finale Sunday in Chicago.
General manager Ken Holland said, "We're going to hold him out for the weekend. He feels OK. He'd like to play Sunday, but we're not going to play him. Right now, everything looks good."
Holland said the Wings will not recall anyone from Grand Rapids to fill Hossa's spot for the games against Chicago.
Coach Mike Babcock said, "You're always concerned when it's the groin, but he'll (Hossa) get freshened up and it's not like he wasn't playing good. I'm not concerned about him at all."
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Ty Conklin will start in net today, and Chris Osgood Sunday in Chicago. The Wings left the decision up to Osgood, who chose Sunday because it's a road game and closer to the playoffs.
... That start of the playoffs looks like it'll be Thursday at Joe Louis Arena, although the opponent is far from settled. The Wings want to start Thursday, rather than Wednesday, after having played three games in four days to close out the season.
... Babcock said he'll monitor playing time in the games against Chicago, but because of the days off until the playoffs, playing time won't get cut drastically.
... The Blackhawks are running a video for playoff ticket sales in which forward Adam Burish flips an octopus, saying the Blackhawks want to start new traditions.
The Wings are taking the barb as a compliment, rather than a slight. But it could be filed away for future reference.
"Definitely that'll be extra ammo if we do play them," Kirk Maltby said.
An MRI taken early in the morning showed no tear on the injured groin Hossa sustained Thursday against the Nashville Predators.
Hossa will miss the final two games of the regular season this weekend against Chicago. But he's expected to be ready for the start of the playoffs next week. Hossa stayed off the ice Friday as the Wings practiced.
"I've had some groin injuries before, but this thing doesn't bother me as much," said Hossa, who added he is "pretty optimistic" he'll be ready for the playoffs.
Hossa was actually pushing to play the regular season finale Sunday in Chicago.
General manager Ken Holland said, "We're going to hold him out for the weekend. He feels OK. He'd like to play Sunday, but we're not going to play him. Right now, everything looks good."
Holland said the Wings will not recall anyone from Grand Rapids to fill Hossa's spot for the games against Chicago.
Coach Mike Babcock said, "You're always concerned when it's the groin, but he'll (Hossa) get freshened up and it's not like he wasn't playing good. I'm not concerned about him at all."
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Ty Conklin will start in net today, and Chris Osgood Sunday in Chicago. The Wings left the decision up to Osgood, who chose Sunday because it's a road game and closer to the playoffs.
... That start of the playoffs looks like it'll be Thursday at Joe Louis Arena, although the opponent is far from settled. The Wings want to start Thursday, rather than Wednesday, after having played three games in four days to close out the season.
... Babcock said he'll monitor playing time in the games against Chicago, but because of the days off until the playoffs, playing time won't get cut drastically.
... The Blackhawks are running a video for playoff ticket sales in which forward Adam Burish flips an octopus, saying the Blackhawks want to start new traditions.
The Wings are taking the barb as a compliment, rather than a slight. But it could be filed away for future reference.
"Definitely that'll be extra ammo if we do play them," Kirk Maltby said.
