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Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg undergoes successful back surgery

Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg will be out for several weeks. (Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Henrik Zetterberg and Team Sweden at Sochi Winter Olympics

Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg underwent successful surgery on his back and will be out at least eight weeks, the team announced Friday.

Zetterberg played just one game for Sweden at the 2014 Sochi Games before pulling out of the Olympics with severe back pain.

The center leads the Red Wings with 16 goals, 32 assists and 48 points, even though he has missed 13 games due to back problems already this season. Zetterberg has been one of several Red Wings -- including Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen -- dealing with injuries this season. The good news for Detroit is that Zetterberg has a chance to play again this season and could potentially come back for the playoffs, depending on his status when the team reevaluates him in eight weeks.

If the Stanley Cup Playoffs started today, the Red Wings would be the last team to make the cut as a wild card. Detroit has 64 points so far this season, only one point ahead of the Blue Jackets, Senators and Capitals.

The Red Wings have made the playoffs 22 straight seasons, but they have struggled this year due to injuries and an aging roster.

Detroit will re-open NHL play -- without Zetterberg -- on Feb. 26 in Montreal.

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