Washington Capitals players run the gamut from being plugged into all the NHL playoff scenarios to having no clue what else is going on.
“It’s a really big game for us and them,” rookie defenseman Vincent Iorio said Sunday ahead of facing the Boston Bruins on Monday night. “They’re trying to, I don’t know exactly what they’re trying to do, but we know what we’re trying to do.”
Win the division, but who's counting? Seven of the eight games around the league Monday night have some impact on the postseason picture, whether it's who gets in or where teams are seeded.
The heat is really on in the East, where the New York Islanders can clinch a spot by winning at rival New Jersey. Meanwhile, the Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins against Nashville and Detroit Red Wings against Montreal are all trying to stay in the mix.
“We’ve just been handling it and I’ve just handled it as we have over the last two-plus months of staying in the moment and focusing on the day’s opponent that’s in front of us, and then once we get through that, we move on to the next one,” Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. “It gets a little bit different as we get down to really the final two games, making sure that everybody’s understanding of the circumstances but we’re not overblowing any situation or any game.”
If the Capitals, Penguins and Red Wings all lose in regulation, Pittsburgh and Detroit would be eliminated, setting up a win-and-in matchup Tuesday night between Washington and Philadelphia. Things could also come down to Penguins-Islanders on Wednesday night.
Boston would wrap up the Atlantic and set up a first-round matchup with Tampa Bay with a win at Washington, ensuring Florida versus Toronto, too.
The New York Rangers, at home against the Ottawa Senators, can clinch the Presidents' Trophy and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs with a win of any kind.
All eight spots in the West are locked up, but the only first-round matchup locked in is Winnipeg versus Colorado as the 2/3 matchup in the Central. Dallas has already clinched that division, but the Stars are still waiting to see which team they'll open with.
That could come down to what Los Angeles does at home against Minnesota. The Kings and defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas could each finish third in the Pacific or in either of the wild-card spots.
Edmonton, which hosts last-in-the-league San Jose, could still win that division even after losing to Vancouver on Saturday night. The Oilers might want that if it can set up a third consecutive year facing L.A. and not so much if it means starting against the Golden Knights or Predators.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin celebrates his game-tying goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders Saturday, April 13, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Washington Capitals left wing Sonny Milano (15) celebrates his first goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
In one of the most anticipated performances of the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards, Jason Aldean lit up the stage in a moving tribute to the late Toby Keith.
He gave the crowd an emotional, acoustic performance of Keith's classic “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” as the audience sang along, and Keith's family watched from the crowd.
Across his career, Keith took home 14 ACM Awards, twice winning the top prize of entertainer of the year. He died in February at age 62, following a diagnosis of stomach cancer.
The 59th annual ACM Awards are broadcast live from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, just north of Dallas with host Reba McEntire.
Earlier in the evening, Luke Combs – the most nominated artist of the night, with eight -- took home single of the year for his cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.” Last year, Chapman’s 1988 song won song of the year at the Country Music Awards for Combs’ cover, making her the first Black songwriter to win in the category.
Male artist of the year went to Chris Stapleton. “There’s so many great guys in that category and I’m happy just to be included in this company,” he said in his acceptance speech.
Performances hit fast and furious at the ACMs: Jelly Roll launched into a rocking rendition of his new song “Liar,” followed closely by Kelsea Ballerini with Noah Kahan — doing her song “Mountain with a View” into his viral hit, “Stick Season.”
Tigirlily Gold did “I Tried A Ring On,” Texas-born Cody Johnson brought his “Dirt Cheap,” and Miranda Lambert debuted her new single “Wranglers.”
Kane Brown did a moving cover of “Georgia On My Mind.” Thomas Rhett did “Beautiful As You,” and everyone’s favorite couple, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, brought the lovely “Purple Irises” to the ACM stage.
Lainey Wilson opened the show with a cover of Little Texas’ “God Blessed Texas,” flawlessly jumping into her new single, “Hang Tight Honey.” Afterward, Clay Walker and Randy Travis presented Jordan Davis with song of the year for his ubiquitous country radio hit “Next Thing You Know.”
“First off, I want to thank the fans for loving this song,” he said in his acceptance speech. “I love songwriting because of songs that won song of the year, so to be holding this right now is crazy.”
Dan and Shay and Old Dominion took home the prize for duo and group of the year, respectively.
More is yet to come: Post Malone, Parker McCollum, Nate Smith with Avril Lavigne, Stapleton and McEntire will also perform during the telecast.
The 2024 ACM Awards are being livestreamed on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch Live.
For more coverage of this year’s ACM Awards, visit https://apnews.com/hub/academy-of-country-music-awards
Randy Travis, left, and Clay Walker present the award for song of the year during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Lainey Wilson performs a medley during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Lainey Wilson arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Bunnie XO arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Jelly Roll, left, and Bunnie XO arrive at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Kendra Slaubaugh, left, and Krista Slaubaugh of Tigirlily Gold arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Jelly Roll arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Michael Trotter Jr., left, and Tanya Trotter of The War and Treaty arrive at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
This combination of photos show, country musicians, from left, Luke Combs, Megan Moroney and Morgan Wallen. Combs leads the 2024 ACM Awards nominations with eight, and Moroney and Wallen are nominated for six each. (AP Photo)
Lainey Wilson arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Jelly Roll arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
