P.K. Subban isn't the only NHL player in his family. Younger brother Malcolm Subban, a goalie, was taken by the Boston Bruins in the first round (No. 24) in the 2012 NHL Draft, five years after P.K., a defenseman, was chosen by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round (No. 43).
However, the two had never faced each other at any level of organized hockey until Dec. 8, 2017, when P.K. and the Nashville Predators hosted Malcolm and the Vegas Golden Knights at Bridgestone Arena. Malcolm had been claimed off waivers by the first-year Golden Knights before the NHL expansion team began play that season.
The early stages of the game belonged to Malcolm, but with Nashville trailing 2-0, he allowed a goal to Calle Jarnkrok late in the second period that made it 2-1. Third-period goals by Viktor Arvidsson and Nick Bonino put Nashville ahead 3-2.
But after Malcolm was pulled for a sixth attacker, Erik Haula scored with 40 seconds remaining to tie it 3-3 and force overtime. At one point in overtime, the brothers made eye contact before a face-off in the Vegas zone, sizing each other up, possibly anticipating a one-timer from P.K. that never came.
The game went to a shootout. Reilly Smith scored the only goal, in the sixth round, giving Vegas a 4-3 win. Malcolm finished with 41 saves, including one against his big brother, and family bragging rights.
Despite the loss, P.K. was a proud big brother.
"It was awesome," P.K. said. "Obviously I don't like to see him play that well against us, but you know, he played well, and I'm happy for him. It's been a rocky road to get to where he is now, but he's a pro now. You can see that. As a family, today's a big day."
