P.K. Subban’s Top Moments as a Nashville Predator

As Nashville Predators fans say goodbye to PK Subban, following his trade to New Jersey, let’s remember Subban’s top moments in Predator gold.

And just like that, P.K. Subban is off to another team. Almost 3 years after being traded from Montreal to the Nashville Predators, Subban is on the road again, now to New Jersey. The All-Star defenseman was a Norris Trophy finalist with the Predators in 2017-2018 and tallied 130 points in 211 games.

He’s one of the most polarizing figures in hockey because of his big personality and presence across the media world, not just in hockey. However, in Nashville, he was effective and loved.

With him moving onto a new destination, we thought it would be appropriate to look back at some of the highlights of Subban’s time in Predator gold.

5. PK and the mouthwash vs Crosby

During the middle of the 2017 Stanley Cup, Subban and Sidney Crosby were in the middle of their own battle, as there was a series of hits and questionable plays between the two of them. For example, this play behind the Pittsburgh net during Game 5, in which Crosby checked Subban, and shoved his head into the ice 5 times.

Plays like that escalated the tension between the two highest-profile players on the ice, which is what made the Listerine moment so much better.

During Game 3 of the series, there was a heated exchange on the ice between Subban and Crosby. Postgame, PK was asked about the exchange, and told media that “he told me my breath smelled, but I don’t know, I used Listerine before the game so I don’t know what he’s talking about.”

Normally, during a championship series, anyone is going to let this roll off their back and just focus on winning the Cup. P.K. Subban would never let the chance at a fun moment pass him by though. Before Game 4, Subban tweeted this picture out.

I love this PK moment because it really captures his personality I think. As I said, most people would address the exchange in the locker room, then bury it and be done with it. PK though decided to turn it into a joke and troll Crosby with his tweet.

Even in the midst of the Stanley Cup Finals, Subban still found a way to have some fun and remind us all that it’s just a game. Never change, PK.

4. PK’s First Goal in Gold

I was at this game, and still, remember this moment being absolutely electric. Midway through the 2nd period vs Chicago, Subban drilled home a slapshot for his first goal as a Nashville Predator. He broke out his famous bow and arrow celebration, and let fans everywhere know that he was here and ready to roll.

The first game of the 2016-2017 season and the first game in Nashville for Subban and he rises to the occasion to bury the first of 10 goals he would score that year.

Not to mention, it was on the power play, which makes it much more fun to watch now. Times were simpler when the Predators could score with a man advantage…

2. PK’s Goal from Waaaaay Downtown

In a 7-1 win in Vancouver against the Canucks, Subban scored one of the wackiest but most heads-up goals you’ll ever see. Over the years, PK has taken heat for trying to force the puck into tight windows and for making mistakes on risky plays.

This goal though is why he’s like that. When a team is changing and the other is retreating back and regrouping with the puck, there is often a few second breaks in the action. However, it’s also during this time that smart players make even smarter plays, and capitalize on the lull in play.

On this goal, Subban raced back into the Nashville zone to retrieve the puck while everyone changed. However, instead of gliding around and waiting for help, Subban skated towards center ice and ripped a slap shot at the Canucks net for his 2nd goal of the game.

This heads up play epitomizes PK’s hockey IQ and skill to me. Instead of waiting for a change and help, Subban picked his head up and realized that everyone on the ice was in a daze, including Vancouver’s goalie.

That goal is a high-IQ play that lots of guys wouldn’t try. PK is a risk taker, which is why he gets into trouble sometimes. However, those risks often work out for him and make him a unique weapon on the ice.

There’s a reason why he’s an All-Star, Norris Trophy-winning defenseman…

1. “Eddie”

This is hands down my favorite PK moment from his time in Nashville.

This is the kind of stuff that separates PK from the rest of the personalities of the NHL. He doesn’t just talk to get his name in the news. Instead, he uses his voice to bring awareness to his charities and to the good he is doing in the community.

He consistently goes out of his way to do something fantastic for others in any way possible. Here, he just handed out tickets to anyone who would talk to him. Then to top it off, he redoes an entire living room to make an underprivileged Nashville family’s Christmas special.

As a whole, hockey players are a quiet group that doesn’t rock the boat much. They don’t say much, and oftentimes there isn’t much interaction with the community and the fans. PK is the exact opposite of that, one reason why he will be missed.

Yes, PK is a hockey player and that is his job. However, the reason he is such a household name is because of his personality and because of the good he does for those around him. Yes, he’s an outstanding defenseman, but the personable and positive things he did in Nashville is what was my favorite thing to see.