Chicago Blackhawks captain Connor Bedard returned from shoulder surgery weeks earlier than expected and had an assist in a 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.

Bedard, 21, had surgery on his left shoulder on July 8, the AP said. He hurt it at a training session in Vancouver on July 2, NHL.com reported. At the time, he was expected to be out until November. His return beat that four-month timeline by almost a month, the Chicago Tribune reported.

He missed Chicago's first six games. He began skating with the team on Oct. 5 and took part in two full practices before the game, NHL.com said.

On Tuesday, he played 21 minutes and 6 seconds, the most of any Chicago forward, NHL.com reported. He set up a power-play goal by Roman Kantserov in the first period with a quick pass.

"Just the camaraderie, the energy in the building, everything. It's all you want to do, you know? It's what I live for," Bedard said, according to NHL.com.

He said the shoulder felt fine. "If I didn't feel normal I wouldn't be playing," he said.

Teuvo Teravainen and Kantserov each scored twice for the Blackhawks, the AP reported. Teravainen scored the winning goal late in the third period. Sidney Crosby scored twice for Pittsburgh.

Teammate Patrick Kane, who played on Bedard's line, praised him. "He looked great. Looked like he was skating well, looked like he was making plays," Kane said, NHL.com reported.

Goalie Spencer Knight made 24 saves for Chicago, NHL.com reported. The win improved the Blackhawks' record to 2-5-0.

The assist was the 129th of Bedard's career, NHL.com said. That is the third-most by a Blackhawks player before age 22, behind Denis Savard and Kane. Bedard led the team with 75 points last season, the Blackhawks said.

What we know: Bedard returned early from shoulder surgery and had an assist in a win.
What we don't: Whether his shoulder will hold up over a full season.