Soupy is now Sparky

The Blackhawks were seeking a spark for game 4 in Nashville, and it seems the guy they call "Soupy" is just that.

Brian Campbell skated again Thursday with his teammates and is looking more and more like he'll return for the quarterfinal match-up with the Predators.

"It's getting closer," Campbell said in the Hawks locker room at Bridgestone Arena after the morning skate. "It's up to the Doctors, myself, the team, coaches. I'm starting to feel pretty good."

Campbell broke his rib and clavicle in a hit by Alex Ovechkin on March 14 and was originally told by team doctors he would miss six to eight weeks, which would have put his return at mid-May. Instead, Campbell started skating last week and says he is ready to take that first hit.

"Looking forward to it," he said.

Coach Joel Quenneville would only say Campbell would skate in warm-ups, then see how he feels, making a game time decision.

"When you're ready to play, you're ready" Quenneville explained. "Players know then they're ready."

They may know but they aren't saying. After a noticeable change in lines in Wednesday's practice players were mum on who was playing and who was not.

That includes Adam Burish, who is expected to tally his first playoff minutes along with Brian Bickell.

Hockey practices are open, and with Predators coach Barry Trotz sitting in the stands and taking notes, the Blackhawks didn't want to give anything away.