NASHVILLE – Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, a 5-1 win by the Nashville Predators, was the first time that both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were held without a shot in a playoff game. It was a superlative effort by the Predators defense, including P.K. Subban playing the shutdown role against Crosby.

By the end of the game, Crosby was frustrated. Subban was swaggering. And that combination led to one of the minty freshest chirps of the playoffs from Crosby, according to Subban.

The Predators defenseman was jawing with Jake Guentzel of the Penguins before turning his attention to Crosby, getting in his face. Crosby jawed back.

What was said?

Here’s Subban on NBCSN.

He doubled-down after the game.

“I’ve done two interviews already, and I’ve said the same thing in the other two,” said Subban. “Usually when guys chirp after the game or during the game, it’s usually about your game or something personal. He went on to tell me that my breath smelled bad, and I really don’t understand why, because I use Listerine before the game. I thought my breath smelled great. But at the end of the day, we’re just going to take the win and move on.”

OK then.

Crosby, as far as we know, didn’t address the moment after the game.

Predators goalie Pekka Rinne said of Subban: “He’s a classy guy. He always flosses.”

No word on the pending Listerine endorsement for Subban.

Frankly, we’re surprised Crosby would go there, considering it’s been established that Phil Kessel is the official “how’s your breath?” expert on the Penguins.

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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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