Helm, Bertuzzi both will miss regular season opener against Blues

The Red Wings will be without forwards Darren Helm (strained back) and Todd Bertuzzi (flu/groin) and defenseman Jakub Kindl (groin).
Babcock said after Thursday’s scrimmage that Bertuzzi had a tender groin – but amended it Friday to being ill.
Bertuzzi has been fighting a virus all week.
“He’s sick, got the flu,” Babcock said. “They’re going to give him an IV and he’ll join us (in St. Louis) or the next day (in Columbus).”
Helm is going to miss the first three games and isn’t likely to play until Friday at home against Minnesota,
“Friday is more realistic,” said Helm, who is going to travel on the trip. “With the back it’s never good to make worse, so I’ll use the weekend to try to get on the ice and get a couple of practices in.”
Babcock wasn’t sure if he’d use Jan Mursak or Eaves to fill Bertuzzi’s spot on the third line.
“The good thing about it is I don’t have to tell you (who is playing) because I don’t know and I still haven’t decided,” Babcock said.