NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Detroit forward Darren Helm returned from injury only to suffer a new one, leaving Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup between the Red Wings and the Nashville Predators before the Predators earned a 3-2 win.
Helm missed the final ten games of the regular season with a sprained MCL. Tuesday's playoff opener was his first game back but he cut his forearm on Andrei Kostitsyn's skate in the first period and immediately left the ice.
He was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center for unspecified surgery during the game. Detroit head coach Mike Babcock would later say "We don't know to what extent or how severe, if any tendons or anything were cut we don't know but it was pretty severe."
The Predators were already up by a goal when the injury happened. At 6:59 of the period, Paul Gaustad threw the puck from the left corner to the front of the Detroit net, where it deflected off defenseman Brad Stuart and past goalie Jimmy Howard to make it 1-0.
Detroit got on the board at 2:29 of the second period. Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne knocked aside a Niklas Kronwall shot from the blue line but Henrik Zetterberg got to the loose puck and knocked it in behind Rinne for a power play goal.
The Predators regained the lead with 7:31 to go in the second when Matt Halischuk's long shot deflected off the outstretched stick of Gabriel Bourque and floated past Howard.
Bourque added another with 8:25 left in regulation, snapping a shot over Howard's glove after he was left all alone in the slot.
Tomas Holmstrom knocked home a loose puck from the edge of the crease on a power play with 2:07 remaining to make it 3-2 but the Red Wings would be unable to tie it, even with a late six-on-four manpower advantage.
The Red Wings finished the night with two goals on eight chances with the extra attacker. Nashville was scoreless in six power play tries.
Howard finished the night with 23 saves on 26 shots while Rinne stopped 35 of 37 shots.
In the closing seconds of the game, Nashville captain Shea Weber grabbed Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg by the sides of his head and slammed his face into the glass, earning a two-minute roughing penalty. The NHL has yet to announce whether they will review the play for a possible additional penalty.
Game Two between the teams will be Friday night.
Notes: The Red Wings scratched forwards Gustav Nyquist, Jan Mursak, Chris Conner and the injured Patrick Eaves, defenseman Jakub Kindl, and goalie Joey MacDonald.
How are those nerves holding up? Good? Liar. The real season begins in a matter of hours, with the Red Wings visiting the Nashville Predators for Game One of their Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup.
The Wings have backed into the playoffs but are as healthy as they're going to get right now, it would seem, as both Danny Cleary and Darren Helm are expected to play tonight. Helm skated with Cleary and Drew Miller on the third line in the morning skate, with Justin Abdelkader centering a fourth line that will include Tomas Holmstrom and either Cory Emmerton or Gustav Nyquist.
Defensive pairings are the same as wrapped up the regular season. Jimmy Howard gets the start (of course) and it looks like Ty Conklin will be the backup from here on out, as Joey MacDonald isn't back yet.
On Nashville's side, Hal Gill will be a game-time decision.
Here's a little playoff inspiration: http://www.detroitho...s-crowd-in.php.
Game time is 8:00 PM on FSD and CNBC.
Emmerton gets the nod on the fourth line. Nyquist is out. I'm confused.
So much for bounces in Detroit's favor.
Thank you Brad Stuart!!!
Forgot to mention... In response to the misconduct post about Danny Cleary... Only Steve Yzerman can play on one knee!
Howard big on the PK. Worse penalties during it went uncalled than the one that caused it.
Uhoh, Helm got Modano'd it looked like.
Enormous PK. Eat it, Gary.
Helm to Vanderbilt Medical Center. Lovely.
Not a pretty goal, but it's a goal.
Zata! Tie game.
That should have been goal number two!
Break for the Preds, kinda quick whistle.
If that was Jimmy Howard, it's a goal.
that's the second time the whistle's been really quick for Rinne
What the hell? Quick whistles?
Wings are looking better and better...
If Dats was Cindy, that's a penalty.
If that was anyone not wearing red, it would've been a penalty...
Cleary is butt hurt over his knee... Go figure. NEWS FLASH: You are not Stevie Y!!!!!!!
What the f*ck was that?
Bullsh*t penalty night in Nashville.
don't show your bias refs...
f*ck f*ck f*ck
two flukie goals...
so's our fate...
Power play to start the third will be crucial.
and another quick whistle...
That was the most disciplined PP I have seen in a long time. Damn the Preds luck!
Fantastic save by Rinne and what was that whistle for?
Filppula always has a "lost" expression.
Howard still coming up big.
Looks like we're stronger in all coners, except luck...
How many times can something like that happen?
OK. I'm not happy with this game but if this is the Wings for the series, I like what I'm seeing.
Brutal third goal. How the hell was he open?
This is when I miss Raffi the most...
Five on three could be interesting.
Wings still alive. Getting men around the net. Not enough of that tonight.
About time!
That is a suspension... Period... end of story
That is a suspension... Period... end of story
Was anything even called?
The Hockey gods were not in the Wings' corner...injuries, no puck luck (although it could be said that getting anything past Rinne was lucky), and the reffing was pathetic. I felt like the Wings played well enough to win....
Darren Helm
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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