Subban at home in Nashville
It has NASHVILLE, TENN. — been an extraordinary 11 months for P.K. Subban.
The defenseman moved from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference. Left his native Canada to live in the American South, blended in with new teammates and created a new home.
Oh, and along the way the former star for the Montreal Canadiens played a key role in Nashville’s stirring run to the Stanley Cup Final.
The best way to sum up Subban’s approach? C’est la vie.
“I just tried to have the right attitude when change comes my way,” Subban said. “I think when you have an
MONDAY’S GAME
Predators at Penguins, NBC open mind, an open mind is like a gold mine. You just have an open mind, you can only go up from there regardless of what comes your way and just always try to approach things in a positive way.”
The Canadiens and Predators shocked the NHL last June 29 when Nashville swapped captain Shea Weber for Subban in a rare one-forone trade of All-Star defensemen. Adding Subban’s offensive skills immediately made the Predators a popular pick to be right where they are now as the Western Conference champions.
The stylish Subban has as much flair on the ice with his goal celebrations as off with his hats and stylish suits. The Predators and their fans have embraced all of it.
“When it happened, I came in here with the right attitude and just wanted to be a part of this team and do whatever I can do to help a team win,” Subban said.
The 28-year-old Subban has done that and more. The former Norris Trophy winner was voted the AllStar captain for the Central Division, and he scored 40 points in 66 games during the regular season.
Paired with Mattias Ekholm this postseason, Subban has helped suffocate some of the NHL’s most potent scorers. Next up for Subban? Defending the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the rest of the Penguins. Game 1 is Monday night in Pittsburgh.
“He and Mattias Ekholm have really formed a chemistry together, and that takes time,” Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said. “But they’ve formed a chemistry together that makes them just a real difficult pair to play against.”
Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne said Subban is an easy defenseman to work with, always wanting the puck. He also thinks Subban has adjusted well with the Predators after taking some time to mesh at the beginning of the season.
Canadian media and fans from Montreal have made trips to Nashville to see the charming defenseman this season. Subban said his parents have seen Predators’ flags hanging in his hometown of Toronto.
And it turns out Subban was right last summer saying he believed he would have a big opportunity to win the Stanley Cup with Nashville.
“But we’re in this position because of everybody,” Subban said. “I’ve never been on a team that works as hard for each other as these guys do. And it shows.
For Bernhard Langer, winning the Senior PGA Championship after several close calls would cap off a decade of dominance on the over-50 circuit. Vijay Singh is playing the event for the first time in his fifth year of eligibility and still wants to compete on the PGA Tour.
Singh used his power to move ahead of Langer on Saturday at rain-softened Trump National, but Langer used his guile to stay close, setting up a duel for the title between the Hall of Famers.
The 54-year-old Singh made three more birdies on par 5s to shoot a 4-under 67 at President Donald Trump’s course on the shores of the Potomac River. He had a 15-under 201 total, playing the par 5s in 10 under.
“He played phenomenal,” Langer said. “It was fun to watch some of the shots that he hit.”
The 59-year-old Langer shot 70, ending a run of seven straight rounds in the 60s, and was one shot back. He’s seeking his ninth senior major, which would break Jack Nicklaus’ record. He tied Nicklaus last week with a final-round 64 to win the Regions Tradition by five shots. The Senior PGA is the only senior major he hasn’t won.
“I’ve had some tremendous rounds on Sundays, this year especially. My lowest rounds came on Sundays this year. So that’s encouraging,” Langer said.
Singh, who’s averaging 291 yards off the tee to lead the field in driving distance, routinely outdrove Langer by 30 yards and hit his approach shots closer. His putter kept him from pulling further away. He missed three birdie putts inside 10 feet and a par putt inside 3 feet.
Billy Andrade made three birdies on the back nine to shoot 69 and was three shots back. Bob Estes (67) was alone in fourth, five back.
Andrew Dodt of Australia will take a one-stroke lead into the final day of the BMW PGA Championship after shooting a 4-under 68 in the third round at Virginia Water, England.
South Africa’s Branden Grace is a shot behind Dodt, a two-time winner on the European Tour, after a 70.
Shanshan Feng shot a 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the LPGA Volvik Championship at Ann Arbor, Mich. Feng is 15 under after a bogey-free round. Lizette Salas (67) is second, one shot ahead of Suzann Pettersen (69).
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