Darren Helm taken to hospital

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Detroit center Darren Helm was cut on the right arm in the first period against Nashville on Thursday night, and didn't return the Red Wings' 3-2 loss in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.

Helm played 3:08 in the first period with six shifts before tossing his glove to the ice and speeding to the locker room during a penalty kill against Nashville.

Detroit coach Mike Babcock said Helm was taken to a hospital for surgery.

The center missed the final 10 games of the regular season after spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee March 17 in a collision with San Jose's Dominic Moore. Helm had nine goals and 17 assists in 69 games this season.

Helm skated Wednesday morning and said he felt ready to play.

"I hope I can be out there and make a difference," he said after Detroit's morning skate.

Nashville scratched defenseman Hal Gill against Detroit because of a lower-body injury. Gill blocked a shot by Sheldon Souray of Dallas last week.

Information from ESPN The Magazine's Craig Custance and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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