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