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Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell is listed as a game-time decision Thursday for Game 4 against the Nashville Predators.

It is possibly paving the way for Campbell’s first action since March 14, when he was hit by Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin.

Campbell suffered a fractured clavicle and rib in that collision, which cost the Washington Capitals’ star a two-game suspension, handed down by the league.

The Predators own a 2-1 series lead, and Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville was asked whether trailing in the series dictates Campbell’s return.

“It’s a good question,” he said Thursday morning. “It’s tough to measure something like that.

“When you’re ready to play, you’re ready to play. When you talk to players that have been out for a while, they know their body, they know when they’re ready. We’ll see.”

Click here to read the full article – By Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com

Antti Niemi’s mind was clear and his game was sharp. It was just what the Chicago Blackhawks needed to even up their first-round series with the Nashville Predators

“I just wanted to get ready like every other game. I didn’t want to think about too much,” Niemi said after making 23 saves in his second career playoff game to help the Blackhawks beat the Predators 2-0 on Sunday night.

Niemi, a rookie, didn’t dwell on his first playoff game two nights earlier when he gave up two goals, one on a bouncing puck in a 4-1 loss in the series opener. That loss put Sunday night’s game into the must-win category for the Blackhawks with Games 3 and 4 in the Western Conference series slated for Nashville on Tuesday and Thursday.

“You don’t want to focus on, ‘This is a big game.’ You want it to be like every other,” Niemi said.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

Blackhawks center Dave Bolland underwent successful surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back, according to the team, and he will be out several months.


“Dave underwent minimally invasive surgery today for a herniated disk,” team physician Michael Terry said. “The surgery went well, and we anticipate a full recovery. He should be back in 12 to 16 weeks.”

The surgery was performed by Dr. Richard Fessler at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Bolland last played on Nov. 5 in Phoenix, and he’s been battling back problems since last season. He also missed one other game this year due to back “maintenance.”

Bolland signed a five-year contract this summer and was expected to be the second-line center. He also was thought to be Marian Hossa’s center when he returned from injury. Instead, Quenneville said he will fill Bolland’s role by “committee.” Bolland had two goals and four assists in 13 games.

Click here to read the full article – By Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com

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