NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Detroit Red Wings center Darren Helm is out for the playoffs after having surgery Wednesday night to repair lacerated tendons in his right forearm, the club announced today.

Helm is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the start of training camp in September.

Helm's was cut by the blade of Alexander Radulov's skate with about six minutes to play in the first period of Nashville's 3-2 victory in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals at Bridgestone Arena.

It's a huge loss for the team, which relies heavily on Helm's speed, forechecking ability and physical play, particularly in the playoffs.

“He's an important guy,'' Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "I'm disappointed for Darren because he worked real hard to be back for the playoffs.

"He plays with tremendous passion and determination. I know how much he loves this game. It's a big loss, but that's playoff hockey.''

Helm was scheduled to be released from the hospital today.

The injury likely will prompt coach Mike Babcock to move Justin Abdelkader from fourth-line center back to third-line center, where he played the final 10 games of the regular season, when Helm was idled by a sprained left MCL.

Cory Emmerton would then move from wing back to center on the fourth line. Rookie Gustav Nyquist or veteran Chris Conner likely will be inserted into the lineup for Game 2 Friday in Nashville.

“Abby stepped up and did a good job last night,'' Holland said. "If you're going to go on a long playoff run, you're going to get hurt. The good news is we got guys like Conner, who has playoff experience (with Pittsburgh last season), and Nyquist. We got players with NHL experience.''

Zetterberg is fine

Holland said he spoke with Henrik Zetterberg after the game last night and again this morning and he is doing fine. Zetterberg had his head slammed into the glass by Shea Weber as time expired.

Holland declined to comment on the incident.

"All we can do is take care of what we can take care of, stay focused on the job we can do,'' he said.

Holland said he is aware that the NHL has reviewed the incident but did not know if the league would hand out any punishment.