For Bolland, playoffs 'a new beginning'

For Dave Bolland, this is his season.

Limited to just 39 games because of a back problem that required surgery, the Blackhawks' second-line center is looking for a long playoff run to make up for what he missed.

"It's sort of like a new beginning for me," Bolland said Friday before Game 1 against Nashville. "I've had my training camp. I think my game is getting better and better."

Bolland missed 41 games from late November until early February. He played in 26 of the final 27 games but had only 4 goals and 6 assists.

"I like the progress over the last couple, three weeks," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "We still think he is improving. I just think he can add so much to our team with his positioning, his thought process with and without the puck and his important minutes."

Bolland is a key for a few reasons. He is centering the second line for leading scorer Patrick Kane and started Game 1 at the point on the power plays.

"That can be a very dangerous line for us," Quenneville said.

Said Bolland: "I've been with (Kane) for a few games and I sort of know where he's going to be and what he's going to do. Hopefully with (Troy) Brouwer on our line we can do some good things."

Bolland's playmaking ability at the point will be tested. He played the point in juniors and was there occasionally last season.

"I like that spot," Bolland said. "You can do some damage in that spot. I know I have to start using my shot more instead of looking to pass. I know I have to be careful, too, in case I have to get back."

Tough decision: It wasn't easy for Joel Quenneville to sit sparkplug Adam Burish in Game 1, but the fourth line of Colin Fraser, Ben Eager and Tomas Kopecky has played too well to split up.

"It's never a good situation," Joel Quenneville said. "Everyone wants to play and be a part of it whether it's (Fraser) or him. It's a situation where you've got to work hard and prepare yourself like you have a chance to play. Keeping yourself ready and being part of a team is part of it.

"Everybody deserves to be playing, but we welcome the tough decisions and I think it makes us a better team."

Campbell update: While the Hawks won't rush Brian Campbell back into the lineup, a lot could depend on how the first three or four games of the series with Nashville go.

"We'll continue to monitor him," Joel Quenneville said. "We said earlier in the week that early in the series (he's) likely out, but we'll see how it progresses."