Red Wings vs. New Jersey Devils 12-31-14

The Red Wings' Darren Helm has scored a career-high 13 goals this season.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT - Darren Helm's anticipated return to the lineup Thursday should have a ripple effect on the Detroit Red Wings.

The team figures to be deeper and more energetic. It'll boost linemates Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Tatar. It'll spark the penalty kill. It'll enable Luke Glendening to return to his familiar spot as a fourth-line grinder.

Coach Mike Babcock said Tuesday that Helm hasn't been cleared but believes he'll be ready. Helm, out since Feb. 28 with a strained oblique muscle, said he'll play as long he doesn't experience a setback.

"I'm feeling pretty good the last while," Helm said. "Hopefully I've taken enough time off where it feels good enough to play."

Datsyuk, Tatar and Helm formed the club's most dangerous line at times this season.

"We were buzzing pretty good and producing," Helm said. "All we can hope for is we get back out there together and find a way to click and win some hockey games."

Helm has 13 goals, one more than his previous career high, and 29 points in 61 games.

"He's a very important guy for our team," Gustav Nyquist said. "He's played great. I thought that line was great when he was playing with Pav and Tats. He gives them a lot of energy and gets them a lot of pucks and that rubs off on the other lines. Just the energy he brings to every game rubs off on other people."

Said Justin Abdelkader: "He was playing so well with Pav and Tats; he'll help those guys out. He's a great skater, he gets pucks back for those guys, he's around the net, really lets those guys showcase their skill."

Babcock had been using Glendening on that line the past four games.

"It allows us to spread things out more," Babcock said. "It gets Glennie back in his right spot, which is real important for our team.

"We think we're going to have a good team here, so ideally - knock on wood - we can stay healthy and start playing the best we can play."

Helm was injured midway through the first period of a 4-3 win in Nashville. The team has gone 3-4-0 in the games he has missed.

"It's always tough being out. It's always tough watching your teammates go out there and battle so hard while you're sitting in the room just watching," Helm said. "I definitely want to get out there and help them and be part of the team again."

-- Download the Detroit Red Wings on MLive app for iPhone and Android

-- Follow Ansar Khan and Brendan Savage on Twitter

-- Like MLive's Detroit Red Wings Facebook page