"For Brian Campbell, it was a chance worth taking. What is life without risks?

The veteran Blackhawks defenseman was expected to miss eight weeks after suffering a broken collarbone when he was driven into the boards by Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals on March 14. But with the Hawks trailing the Nashville Predators 2-1 in their Western Conference quarterfinal series, Campbell decided to return to the ice two weeks early.

Even with Campbell's ice time limited, It probably was not a coincidence that the Hawks played their best game of the series with him on the ice, beating the Predators 3-0 on Thursday at Bridgestone Arena.

''If we were ahead in the series I don't think I would have played,'' Campbell said. ''But I felt like I was ready and I could help the team. We'd all like to have eight weeks to get ready. But we might not have eight weeks. I thought it was key to get back.''

Campbell played 14:04 in the game and had extensive ice time in the third period, when the Hawks were protecting a 3-0 lead.

''I felt great, especially in the third period,'' Campbell said. ''The first period was a little foggy. I haven't played in six weeks -- coming back to playoff hockey, they come at you pretty good. It was a challenge. I didn't play a lot in the first two periods, but in the third I felt comfortable.''"