New Nashville Predators defenceman P.K. Subban has always had a flair for the dramatic. He showed that off again on Friday night, scoring his first goal as member of the Predators, in the clubs opening game, and on his first shot. Subban blasted home a slap shot at 7:46 of the first period, tying the game at 1-1. The Predators would go on to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 3-2.
Roman Josi and Mike Fisher also scored for the Predators, while Ryan Johansen had three assists. Markus Kruger and Niklas Hjalmarsson scored for the Blackhawks. In goal Pekka Rinne (22 of 24 saves) outduelled Corey Crawford (24 of 27 saves).
P.K. Subban Scores in First Game as a Nashville Predator
PK Subban’s first goal with the Predators. Awesome celebration too. pic.twitter.com/PY2It7G8Dc
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) October 15, 2016
Subban celebrated the goal by mimicking a lasso motion, an homage to former teammate Carey Price, who has participated in rodeos in the past. The crowd at the Bridgestone Arena went wild for their new all-star defenceman.
“I know Price is going to be proud of me,” Subban told reporters after the game. “You know I just get fired up every now and then, just trying to express my emotions.”
It was an emotional first game for Subban, who had not played an NHL game since being taken off on a stretcher on March 10th. He was also involved in a blockbuster summer deal that saw him traded from the Montreal Canadiens to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Shea Weber.
“I wanted to get my feet under me, play hard and play physical and just try to do whatever the coaching staff asked me to do,” said Subban.
Main Photo:
October 14, 2016: Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) is shown during the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and the Chicago Blackhawks, held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
