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Jagr hoping for Sunday return to Flyers lineup

Jaromir Jagr

Philadelphia Flyers’ Jaromir Jagr, from the Czech Republic, smiles during an NHL hockey media availability, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, in Voorhees, N.J. Jagr signed a one-year contract with the Flyers. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

AP

Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports Jaromir Jagr is hoping to return to the lineup on Sunday when the Flyers take on the Senators.

The 39-year-old was expected to be out 7-10 days after injuring his groin at the Winter Classic, but appears to be on track for an early return. He sat out last night’s wild 5-4 win over Chicago -- a game in which his (occasional) replacement, James van Riemsdyk, scored twice -- and won’t play on Saturday, the first of a home-and-home against Ottawa. But a Sunday return would mean Jagr only missed five days of action, a positive sign for the NHL’s fourth-oldest player.

Jagr’s injury could end up being a blessing for the Flyers as van Riemsdyk thrived in an expanded role against the ‘Hawks. That could provide the necessary kickstart to his season -- JVR’s been inconsistent this year after lighting up last year’s playoffs with seven goals in 11 games.

“JVR was good,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “It was his best game. I think the fact that he was skating to be physical, he was banging bodies. I think this is a game he can use to get excited about, go into the next game and build off it.”