NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Detroit coach Mike Babcock says center Darren Helm is playing Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Red Wings’ playoff series against the Nashville Predators.
Helm 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.
The center skated Wednesday morning and said he felt ready to play but would wait to see what the doctors and trainers said.
Nashville defenseman Hal Gill did not skate, and coach Barry Trotz says Gill is a game-time decision with a lower body injury. Trotz says seven defensemen will skate in warm-ups. Gill blocked a shot by Sheldon Souray last week.
