Malcolm Subban’s game-day routine is as precise as his performance in the net, a methodical process that starts with packing his goalie gear in the same order since he was 14 years old.
“I go pants, jock, kneepads, then skates, shoulder pads, helmet, glove — always the same,” said the 25-year-old Golden Knights goaltender.
His meticulous approach paid off once again as Subban improved to 5-0 in career shootouts. Alex Tuch scored both in regulation and in the shootout, leading the Vegas Golden Knights to a 2-1 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Friday night.
Jonathan Marchessault also scored in the shootout for Vegas, which secured its second consecutive win. Subban stopped 35 shots during regulation and overtime, making several crucial saves late in the game, including two key stops in the final 12 seconds of regulation and two more in overtime against Phil Kessel. He denied two of the three shots he faced in the shootout.
“I wish I could describe the feeling, but I’m just focused on the puck, and you don’t really feel anything else,” Subban said. “I just try to stay patient and give my team a chance to score a goal or two.”
Subban, who had a 0-4-2 record after his first six starts, has now won back-to-back games, including an overtime win in Nashville on Wednesday.
“When you’re losing a lot, it gets pretty miserable, so I’m happy to get a couple of wins,” Subban said. “You just try to dial yourself in and not think about anything else going on.”
The Golden Knights, who played their second consecutive overtime game and sixth of November, are 4-4 in overtime this season and remain perfect in shootouts at 3-0.
“They had a good game, one of his better games of the year,” said Vegas coach Gerard Gallant. “Subby was solid, especially with key saves in overtime, and he’s always locked in during shootouts.”
Arizona, which is 6-2-2 against Pacific Division teams and has earned points in nine straight divisional games (6-0-3), played in its third straight overtime game and seventh in November. The Coyotes have earned points in 11 of their 14 road games this season (8-3-3).
Jakob Chychrun scored the lone regulation goal for the Coyotes, and Darcy Kuemper made 37 saves. Christian Dvorak added Arizona’s only shootout goal.
“We played a good game tonight. We deserved better,” said Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet. “You kill that many penalties and don’t get power plays, and that’s what happened. But I’m proud of the guys. We played hard.”
Game Notes:
- Vegas, which scored a first-period goal in each of its first 11 home games, has now been held scoreless in the first period in three of its last four home games.
- Chychrun is two games away from reaching 200 career games.
- Arizona’s 61 goals against rank tied for third-fewest in the NHL.
UP NEXT:
- Arizona: Hosts San Jose on Saturday night.
- Vegas: Visits the New York Rangers on Monday night.