Nashville Predators: P.K. Subban is key to postseason success

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 07: Nashville Predators Defenceman P.K. Subban (76) in warmups prior to the regular season NHL game between the Nashville Predators and Toronto Maple Leafs on January 7, 2018 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 07: Nashville Predators Defenceman P.K. Subban (76) in warmups prior to the regular season NHL game between the Nashville Predators and Toronto Maple Leafs on January 7, 2018 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

So far in two games played in the 2018-19 playoffs, P.K. Subban has scored one goal and has been a crucial factor to Nashville’s success.  

Since joining the Nashville Predators in the 2016-17 season, P.K. Subban has been nothing short of a superstar and bright spot for the Predators’ organization. In 211 regular season games played with Nashville, he has recorded 35 goals, 95 assists and 186 penalty minutes.

Not only is Subban stellar in the regular season, but he continues his outstanding play in the playoffs. In 37 playoff games with Nashville (two games played in the 2018-19 season), he has scored seven goals (one for the 2018-19 season) and tagged on 22 assists.

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While some see Subban as too offensively minded with a surplus of turnovers, they do not see the number of plays and scoring opportunities he is setting up. This playing style can be costly at times, but it is also clutch in the playoffs when Subban distracts defenders from their responsibilities.

As of late, he has been paired with Mattias Ekholm, a more defensively sound player. With this playing style, the two gel well together as Ekholm is able to cover the point and allow Subban to dance around with the puck to ignite scoring chances and offensive setups. It is sticking to this style that will allow the Predators to gain more opportunities to score in the playoffs.

Overall, since Subban’s arrival in 2016, he has been one of the main factors to the team’s success. Each season he seems to grow and become a more skilled and matured skater, which in turn has helped the Predators grow and be more successful then they were before his arrival.

The 29-year-old defenseman is in his prime and will be a crucial part of the Predators’ success in this season’s playoffs and beyond.  There is no doubt that if the Predators go to or win the Stanley Cup Final it will be largely in part to Subban’s contributions.

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