WASHINGTON (AP) — Logan Thompson was back in net, just in time for the Olympics.
Thompson returned from injured reserve and made 27 saves to lift the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night. It was the team's final game before the Olympic break. Thompson is on Canada's roster.
“It's important to get this one before the break, and feeling good with confidence going into this big tournament,” Thompson said.
Thompson played for the first time since Jan. 27, and the Capitals needed him to be sharp, especially when Jonathan Marchessault and Erik Haula came in alone on a two-man breakaway for Nashville. Thompson stopped Marchessault's shot.
“He was fantastic tonight right from the start. So many big saves in that game," Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. “I'll be honest with you. We weren't very good. So without that performance we are not getting two points tonight.”
Tom Wilson, Thompson's teammate for Canada, opened the scoring for Washington. Pierre-Luc Dubois — who was coming back from an even longer injury absence, having not played since Oct. 31 — made it 2-0 before the first period was over.
The Capitals remained four points behind the New York Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division. They're also four behind for the last wild card in the Eastern Conference.
That's a concern for later. Now Thompson can focus on trying to win a gold medal.
“It's a dream come true," he said. "I'm going to just go there and soak it all in and do any little bit that they want me to do, whether that's practice goalie, backup, hand out the water bottles. I'm just going to be happy to be there.”
Jakob Chychrun scored two goals for the Capitals, bringing his season total to 21, the most among NHL defensemen. Alex Ovechkin assisted on Chychrun's second goal, but he played only 13:15 — one of the lowest ice time totals of his career.
Dubois was without a point in his first six games this season, then had surgery for injuries to his abdominal and adductor muscles. He made it back a bit earlier than initially expected.
“We were circling this game on the calendar. It was an ambitious goal. At times we didn't know if we were going to be able to do it,” Dubois said. “The staff just did such a fantastic job of helping me and putting me in position to succeed. I owe it all to them.”
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Washington Capitals left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois (80) celebrates his goal with defenseman John Carlson (74) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, left, celebrates with defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) and others after an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson stops the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Thousands of Catholic devotees commemorated Good Friday across Latin America with processions and ceremonies re-enacting the crucifixion of Jesus.
In Antigua, a colonial-era city in southern Guatemala, dozens dressed in purple and white robes and made their way under the early morning sun, many of them penitents known as “cucuruchos.” Others carried centuries-old images of Jesus through cobblestone streets.
The city hosts more than a dozen processions throughout Holy Week, set against a backdrop of volcanoes.
Marcos Bautista, 63, said he has attended the Good Friday observances since his father brought him along as a baby in his arms.
“To describe Holy Week in Antigua, there are no words that can capture what it feels like," Bautista said. “It’s a feeling that, just by speaking about what Jesus has done in our lives, moves me deeply.”
In Bolivia, President Rodrigo Paz traveled to the southern city of Tarija to participate in Good Friday ceremonies.
The country is a secular state under its constitution and its leaders refrained from engaging in any religious events between 2006 and 2025. But Paz — who took office last November — broke with precedent by attending Palm Sunday Mass carrying a palm frond.
In the capital city of La Paz, government authorities and military bands accompanied Good Friday processions, in which hooded penitents carried the Holy Sepulcher through the streets.
Bolivia remains a predominantly Catholic country, alongside strong Indigenous spiritual traditions. In some households, it is customary to eat only fish on Good Friday and prepare up to 12 dishes representing the apostles of Jesus, a tradition that has declined in recent years amid an economic crisis.
In Ecuador, where about 80% of the population identifies as Catholic, processions were held across major cities.
In Guayaquil, roughly half a million faithful attended the “Cristo del Consuelo” procession. Amid displays of devotion, some participants walked barefoot, while others wore thorn crowns or dragged crosses.
In the capital, Quito, the “Jesús del Gran Poder” procession drew more than 150,000 faithful, who filled the historic center’s streets with chants and prayers as they accompanied an image of Jesus carrying the cross.
Thousands more climbed the Monserrate Hill in neighboring Colombia. At more than 10,200 feet (3,100 meters) above sea level, they reached the summit in the capital city of Bogotá to attend Mass at the basilica. Similar observances, including reenactments of the Stations of the Cross, were held in other parts of the country, including Medellín.
While the share of Catholics in Latin America has declined over the past decade, the faith remains the region’s largest religion.
In several countries, including Mexico, Peru and Argentina, more than 60% of adults still identify as Catholic, according to 2024 surveys by the Pew Research Center and Latinobarómetro.
AP journalists Moisés Castillo in Antigua, Guatemala; Carlos Valdez in La Paz, Bolivia; Gonzalo Solano and Gabriela Molina, in Quito, Ecuador, contributed to this report.
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Penitents from the Nazareno brotherhood carry a statue of Jesus down the steps of the Cathedral Basilica of St. James the Apostle for a Good Friday procession during Holy Week in Tunja, Colombia, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
A hooded penitent from the Nazareno brotherhood waits for the Good Friday procession inside the Cathedral Basilica of St. James the Apostle during Holy Week in Tunja, Colombia, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Young women and girls carry jeweled hearts representing the Virgin Mary at a Good Friday procession during Holy Week in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Hooded penitents participate in a Good Friday procession during Holy Week in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
A statue of Jesus Christ with a cross makes its way past electric cables at La Merced church's Good Friday procession during Holy Week in Antigua, Guatemala, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Women carry children dressed as penitents knows as "cucuruchos" on the sidelines of La Merced church's Good Friday procession during Holy Week in Antigua, Guatemala, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Penitents carry statues of Jesus Christ representing the Stations of the Cross at a Good Friday procession by La Merced church during Holy Week in Antigua, Guatemala, just before sunrise Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Musicians dressed as Roman soldiers take part in La Merced church's Good Friday procession during Holy Week in Antigua, Guatemala, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
