"Patrick Kane sounded more optimistic than Marian Hossa on Friday.

Kane is "really hopeful" he can play Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings. As for Hossa and his lower-body injury, "It all depends how it is after the skate [this] morning," he said. ''If it's good, I can skate again."

Either way, Kane and Hossa are close to returning from their injuries, but they had to sit and watch again as the Hawks played the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. They're guarding against rushing themselves back.

Both took part in the morning skate, but neither was expected to play as Kane (ankle) missed his fifth straight game and Hossa his eighth.

"It's a day-by-day process," said Kane, who still feels pain. "I'm just going to try to keep getting it better. I was itching a bit to get out there [against Detroit]. But I'm going to wait until I'm ready."