{"id":9391,"date":"2017-05-02T19:04:08","date_gmt":"2017-05-02T23:04:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=9391"},"modified":"2017-05-02T19:04:08","modified_gmt":"2017-05-02T23:04:08","slug":"p-k-subban-offensive-dominance-in-round-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2017\/05\/02\/p-k-subban-offensive-dominance-in-round-two\/","title":{"rendered":"P.K. Subban Offensive Dominance in Round Two"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Nashville Predators and the St. Louis Blues have played three games in their series. The Predators are up two games to one on the Blues, with a home game tonight at 9:30 PM EST. They find themselves in this position largely due to the dominance of a new Predator\u00a0<\/span>P.K. Subban<\/a><\/b>. Through the first series against the Blackhawks, Subban was relatively quiet. The Predators focused on playing a more defensive game in order to limit opposition chances and take away the Blackhawks firepower. This series, the offense has opened up a bit, and teams are trading chances more. This style of game is right up Subban\u2019s alley. Subban is stealing the spotlight this series, and for good reason.<\/span><\/p>\n

P.K. Subban Offensive Dominance in Round Two<\/span><\/h2>\n

Milbury\u2019s Comments<\/span><\/h3>\n

Of the recent press Subban is getting, not all of it has been positive. Mike Milbury<\/a><\/strong> recently caused an uproar among fans and media alike when he called Subban a \u201cclown\u201d during Game 2’s\u00a0pregame warmup. A link to the video as well as a reaction to it can be found <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>. Milbury\u2019s whole commentary, in which he suggested that Predators coach Peter Laviolette<\/a><\/strong>, \u201cought to give him a rap on the head,\u201d was a reaction to Subban dancing during pre-game warmup. Dancing is probably a bit much. Bobbing is more like it. So apparently, in Milbury\u2019s mind at least, loosening up before a game makes Subban a clown.<\/span><\/p>\n

Milbury\u2019s comments are irresponsible and uncalled for. His choice of words is extremely poor, and shows no evidence of forethought. His message reveals a major issue for hockey: that personality and individuality are aspects to repress. No matter the angle, Milbury\u2019s comments are out of line. To be fair, <\/span>he did explain<\/span><\/a> to the Tennessean that what he meant was that Subban might be\u00a0a distraction to his teammates at a time when they should be getting focused and getting serious. Maybe, but he still said what he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Increasing Role<\/span><\/h3>\n

Predators fans know what Milbury\u00a0obviously does not. Before Game 3\u00a0in Nashville on Sunday, <\/span>fans held signs supporting Subban<\/span><\/a>. Nashville fans, and maybe anyone not named Mike Milbury<\/a><\/strong>, recognize that Subban\u2019s behavior is his way of getting focused and staying loose. It is his way of preparing for a game. And it\u2019s nothing new. This is a routine for Subban. If he was a distraction to his teammates, the issue would have already been dealt with by coaching staff. Given his\u00a0performance this round, focus clearly is not an issue. Subban is dialed in.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the regular season against the Blues, Subban had two assists in five games. So far in this series, he has one goal and three assists in three games. He has found another gear in the second round, and that is earning him more playing time. In Game 1, Subban was third among Nashville players\u00a0with 23:16 of ice time. In Game 2, he saw a minute and a half more ice, still ranking third. But after two solid performances, Subban\u2019s ice time jumped to 27:21 in game three, first among Predators. He and his partner <\/span>Mattias Ekholm<\/a><\/b> saw roughly four more minutes of game play than the team\u2019s usual first pair of <\/span>Roman Josi<\/a> <\/b>and <\/span>Ryan Ellis<\/a><\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Game 1\u00a0Performance<\/h3>\n

In our preview of the series between the Predators and the Blues, <\/span>we mentioned<\/span><\/a> Subban as one of the best defenseman in the game. That was evident in Game 1\u00a0as Subban took over for the Predators. His shot from the left circle on the powerplay was particularly effective. On the Predators first goal, a Subban shot from the left circle was beautifully tipped in by <\/span>Colin Wilson<\/a><\/b>. The third Predators goal, scored by <\/span>Filip Forsberg<\/a><\/b>, was on a rebound generated from Subban\u2019s shot from the same area. Subban scored from the other side of the ice and on even strength for this goal, letting lose a laser for the team\u2019s second of the night.<\/span><\/p>\n