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P.K. Subban On Playing In Boston: 'I Look To Spoil The Fun For The Whole City'

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Winter Classic is rapidly approaching, and with that annual tradition comes the off-ice aspect on all of our TV (and computer) screens.

The first episode of "Road To The NHL Winter Classic" airs Wednesday night on Epix (and streaming online at NHL.com and Epix.com), and it will feature behind-the-scenes access of both the Bruins and the Canadiens.

With that in mind, Felger & Massarotti welcomed Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban as a guest on Wednesday's show.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Subban said of the Winter Classic. "You talk about Original Six teams, in Boston, Gillette Stadium, 70,000-plus fans. This is something that's tremendously special and to be able to do something like this with charity around it just makes it that much more special."

Ray Bourque and Subban together are promoting a raffle that will give one lucky winner an all-expenses paid trip to see the Winter Classic, plus much more. Information is available at NetRaffle.org.

But considering this was Boston radio, most of the conversation focused on how Subban is and has always been received by Boston fans. Subban's history with Boston goes back to his first full season in the NHL in 2010-11. Bruins fans were immediately angered by Subban's penchant for falling down a little bit too easily.

P.K Subban dives Game 7 Vs Bruins 4/27/11 by thereallucci on YouTube

Yet Subban has only gotten better as he's gotten older, and he stung the Bruins with four goals and three assists in the Canadiens' seven-game series win over Boston in the 2014 playoffs. Though most ardent Bruins fans may not like him, they've come to respect his abilities over the years.

"It's one of those things where it's a lot of respect as well. For players that get booed, I think the majority of them anyway, an dive had to go my whole career understanding when I go into most NHL arenas everywhere, I'm going to be booed," Subban said. "It's just something you get used to. I have no problem being that type of player that fans love to hate. At the end of the day, it just gets me going even more, and that's the way I approach it."

He also said: "The city of Boston will always have a special place in my heart, but every time I step on the ice at the TD Garden, I look to spoil the fun for the whole city."

Let that serve as a warning to Bruins fans who may be booing too vociferously when Subban comes to town.

As for the complaints of his diving, flopping and embellishing, Subban didn't bother defending himself, instead allowing everyone to spout their own opinions.

"You know what? I always just let people kind of give their own opinion on every player," Subban said. "People are supposed to voice their opinion on players and what they feel, but at the end of the day, the game is played on the ice and it's a competitive game, and at the end of the day I play it as honest as I can. I respect my peers and my teammate s and the guys I play against, and I play to win."

As for his ongoing rivalry with Brad Marchand, a player who tends to get under opponents' skin with the same frequency that Subban does, the Montreal defenseman had mostly positive things to say.

"Aw, Brad's a great player. He's a great player and I'm sure he's been one of the Bruins' best players this season. He's very impactful on the game," Subban said. "So as a player definitely Brad is an impact player in the league and he is for that team, but when he's playing against us and I'm on the ice, he's not really a factor."

On the last comment, Subban was quick to add, "I'm just trying to stir the pot a little bit."

Listen to the full interview -- which includes discussion about Malcolm Subban's professional journey, P.K. charitable endeavors, some phone connectivity issues, and more -- below.

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