Coach Mike Babcock will be minus one of his top scorers Friday night when the Detroit Red Wings host Nashville in a highly anticipated NHL divisional matchup.

Forward Jason Williams, who stands fourth in Red Wings scoring with eight points, will spend at least one week on injured reserve with a concussion.

He was released from hospital Thursday, less than 24 hours after suffering a concussion when hit by Edmonton's Raffi Torres midway through the second period of a 3-0 Detroit victory.

Williams, who was carrying the puck around his own net, was knocked briefly unconscious on the clean hit and transported to Detroit Medical Centre. The 26-year-old also suffered a deep gash on his forehead.

"It was clean, maybe a bit late," Babcock told reporters after the game, referring to the hit. "Williams was watching [Jason] Smith and Torres got him, but it was clean. Torres got him with a body check and he [Williams] just wasn't watching."

Detroit recalled Brad Norton from its American Hockey League affiliate in Grand Rapids to fill Williams's roster spot. He has one point and a plus-2 rating in six games with the Red Wings this season.

Detroit enters Friday's game riding a seven-game win streak and holding a slim two-point lead over the Predators atop the Central Division.

The Predators, who have played two less games than the Wings, have won five straight and boast a 7-2-0 record on the road this season.

With files from the Canadian Press