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ARLINGTON, Texas — Wyatt Langford hit a game-ending grand slam off All-Star closer Clay Holmes to give the Texas Rangers a 7-4 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, dropping them out of the American League East lead.

Langford hit the first walk-off slam by a Rangers rookie, sending Holmes (2-5) to his major league-high 11th blown save in 40 chances. Texas overcame a 4-1, eighth-inning deficit.

“I think everyone likes those moments,” said Langford, the first Rangers player with three walk-off hits in a season since Josh Hamilton in 2011. “I think you like them even more if you’re able to come through. So, it’s really cool to be able to come through.”

According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Langford, a bright spot in a tough season for Texas, is just the second player in major league history to hit for a cycle, pull off an inside-the-park home run, and blast a walk-off grand slam in the same season. Jackie Robinson did the same in 1948.

Carson Kelly had a one-out single in the ninth, and Josh Smith and Marcus Semien followed with walks as Holmes threw only 12 of 25 pitches for strikes.

“There’s been times I thought I’ve gotten beat honestly,” Holmes said. “Tonight was one of those I didn’t throw very well, and wasn’t very good at all and didn’t deserve to come out on top there the way I was throwing.”

Langford pulled a full-count slider 407 feet to left field for his 10th homer this season.

“He’s been coming up in those big spots and coming through for us,” Kelly said. “Definitely awesome to see.”

New York (80-59) fell half a game behind Baltimore (81-59) for the division lead and the best record in the American League. The Yankees have lost five of their last seven games.

When Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked if he needed to consider changing closers, he said he wasn’t going to answer that “when we’re raw and emotional” just moments after the game.

“Stuff’s there, I feel like he’s throwing the ball well. Tonight was a struggle, obviously,” Boone said. “Getting the lead guy there and then not putting away the righty there to start the rally, and then lost the zone a little bit and not being able to finish off some 3-2 counts. … He’s really important to us down there. We need his excellence to be part of the group down there. So, you know, this is a tough one.”

It was the third straight win at home for the Rangers in walk-off fashion, and their MLB high-tying ninth overall. They won in their final at-bats Saturday and Sunday against Oakland before losing the series opener against New York.

Rookie left-hander Walter Pennington (1-0), the sixth Texas pitcher, earned his first big league victory after getting one out — a flyout to right by MLB home run leader Aaron Judge.

Carlos Rodon had a season-high 11 strikeouts while pitching one-hit ball over six innings. The only hit the New York left-hander gave up was Josh Jung‘s homer leading off the fourth.

New York went ahead after Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Anthony Volpe opened the seventh with consecutive singles. José Leclerc (5-5) balked to push them both up a base, then Jose Trevino had an RBI groundout and Alex Verdugo lined a single over a drawn-in infield for a 2-1 lead.

Volpe added a two-run single with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth, and the speedy Chisolm probably would have also scored from first had he not stopped despite being waved around by third base coach Luis Rojas. Chisolm, who had his fourth consecutive multihit game, seemed to acknowledge he didn’t pick up the sign when he pointed to his eyes.

The Rangers scored twice in the eighth, when Jung had an RBI single and Nathaniel Lowe a sacrifice fly.

Texas starter Andrew Heaney struck out eight with one walk and didn’t give up a run while pitching into the sixth inning. The left-hander with 13 losses has given up only one run over 15 innings (0.60 ERA) his last three starts without a decision in any of them.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Keys to the NHL offseason: Free agency and draft plans for Rangers, Bruins, every other eliminated team

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Keys to the NHL offseason: Free agency and draft plans for Rangers, Bruins, every other eliminated team

The 2024-25 NHL regular season will end Thursday, with exciting races for playoff seeding and the draft lottery order right until the final horn.

But not every team gets to participate in the postseason. This is the place where we look ahead to the offseason for all the teams eliminated from contention: Who will those teams try to add via free agency, trades and the draft? How much better will the team be in 2025-26?

Read on for a look at what went wrong for each eliminated team, along with a breakdown of the biggest keys this offseason and realistic expectations for next season. Note that more teams will be added to this story as they are eliminated.

Note: Profiles for the Atlantic and Metro teams were written by Kristen Shilton, and Ryan S. Clark analyzed the Central and Pacific teams. Stats are collected from sites such as Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey. Projected cap space per PuckPedia. Dates listed with each team are when the entry was published. Teams are listed alphabetically by publication date.

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Stanley Cup playoff watch: How the standings can shift with Monday’s six games

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Stanley Cup playoff watch: How the standings can shift with Monday's six games

For those who want to know the identities of the 16 Stanley Cup playoff teams, this was quite a productive weekend. As the games begin Monday, 14 of 16 clubs have punched their tickets, though a variety of seeds remain in contention.

With the end of the regular season approaching on Thursday, here’s what’s at stake in the six games taking place Monday:

Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens
7 p.m. (ESPN+)

The Columbus Blue Jackets’ win on Sunday kept them in the playoff race for at least one more day; a win by the Canadiens in this one will clinch a berth (and eliminate the Blue Jackets). On the other side, the Blackhawks are locked in to the No. 2 spot in the draft lottery order.

Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings
7 p.m. (NHL Network)

The Stars can no longer catch the Jets or be caught by the Avalanche, so they will begin their first-round playoff series against the Avs at home. The Red Wings enter the evening 11th in the draft lottery order, tied in points with the Rangers, three points behind the Ducks (and the Penguins, but they have only one game left) and one point ahead of the Islanders.

New York Rangers at Florida Panthers
7 p.m. (ESPN+)

As noted above, the Rangers are right in the mix for a top-10 draft pick, but they could finish as low in the order as 13th if they win out. On the other side, the Panthers cannot catch the Maple Leafs for first in the Atlantic Division, but they can potentially move ahead of the Lightning into second in the final week. They are four points ahead of the Senators, but hold a three-regulation win advantage with just two games left for both clubs, so Ottawa cannot catch them.

Utah Hockey Club at Nashville Predators
8 p.m. (ESPN+)

These two teams enter the evening 14th and 3rd, respectively, in the draft lottery order. Nashville is locked in at No. 3, but the Hockey Club (with 87 points) can potentially move up a spot to No. 13 (currently the Blue Jackets, 85 points), or down to No. 15 (currently the Canucks, 88 points).

Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers
10 p.m. (ESPN+, NHL Network)

Here’s your No. 2 vs. No. 3 series in the Pacific Division, but it remains to be seen which team gets home-ice advantage. The Kings enter the evening in the second spot, with 101 points and 41 regulation wins (and a game in hand). The Oilers have 99 points and 35 RW, so this is essentially a must-win for them (and in regulation, too).

San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks
10 p.m. (ESPN+)

In the nightcap, it’s two lottery-bound teams, though at the two ends of the table. The Sharks have clinched the No. 1 spot in the lottery, while the Canucks are 15th heading into this matchup. The Canucks can potentially switch spots with the Hockey Club at No. 14, and could also flip with the Calgary Flames at No. 16.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s schedule
Yesterday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers


Monday’s games

Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).

Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m. (NHL Network)
New York Rangers at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Utah Hockey Club at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.


Sunday’s scoreboard

Ottawa Senators 4, Philadelphia Flyers 3 (OT)
New York Islanders 1, New Jersey Devils 0
Boston Bruins 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Carolina Hurricanes 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 7, Buffalo Sabres 4
Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Washington Capitals 1
Edmonton Oilers 4, Winnipeg Jets 1
Calgary Flames 5, San Jose Sharks 2
Colorado Avalanche 4, Anaheim Ducks 2


Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 104
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 106.6
Next game: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 2
Points pace: 100.5
Next game: vs. NYR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 96.4
Next game: vs. CHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 90.2
Next game: vs. CHI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 97.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: vs. DAL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 78.9
Next game: vs. TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 1
Points pace: 75.9
Next game: vs. NJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Metro Division

Points: 109
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 111.7
Next game: @ NYI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 99
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: @ MTL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 2
Points pace: 91.2
Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 87.1
Next game: @ PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 2.2%
Tragic number: 2

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 83.0
Next game: @ FLA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 1
Points pace: 79.0
Next game: vs. WSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 77.9
Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Central Division

Points: 114
Regulation wins: 43
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 1
Points pace: 115.4
Next game: vs. ANA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 106
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 108.7
Next game: @ DET (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 0
Points pace: 102
Next game: N/A
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 95
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 1
Points pace: 96.2
Next game: vs. ANA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 98.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 1
Points pace: 95.2
Next game: vs. UTA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 94%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 89.2
Next game: @ NSH (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 67.7
Next game: vs. UTA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 57
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 58.4
Next game: @ MTL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Pacific Division

Points: 107
Regulation wins: 45
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 109.7
Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 101
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 104.8
Next game: @ EDM (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 99
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: vs. LA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 94.3
Next game: s. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 7%
Tragic number: 3

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 90.2
Next game: vs. SJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 80.0
Next game: @ MIN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 1
Points pace: 76.9
Next game: vs. LA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 52.3
Next game: @ VAN (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Note: A “p” means that the team has clinched the Presidents’ Trophy as the top team in the regular season. A “z” means that the team has clinched the top record in the conference. A “y” means that the team has clinched the division title. An “x” means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An “e” means that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.


Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the No. 1 pick. More details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14

Points: 57
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 30

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Jets cap ‘fantastic year’ with Presidents’ Trophy

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Jets cap 'fantastic year' with Presidents' Trophy

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Winnipeg Jets secured the first Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history Sunday night, when the East-leading Washington Capitals lost earlier in the day.

The Jets, atop the Western Conference most of the season, then went out and lost to the Edmonton Oilers 4-1 on Sunday night at home, but with the prize for the league’s most regular-season points in tow, coach Scott Arniel rested several key players.

“It definitely felt great,” Jets forward Nino Niederreiter said when asked how the team reacted when the news was announced inside Canada Life Centre during the loss. “Everyone wants to be on top at the end of the day. And obviously, it was a great feeling to hear the cheer.”

The Jets, who will be the No. 1 overall seed in the postseason, are the first Canadian franchise to win the award since the Vancouver Canucks in 2011-12. The Canucks did not win the Stanley Cup that season, and in many cases, the trophy winner does not even make the Cup Final. Last season, the New York Rangers cruised to the Presidents’ Trophy only to lose to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference finals.

“It’s nice. To be able to have that ability to have home-ice [advantage] throughout the whole playoffs, and hopefully we can go on a long run, and use that to our advantage,” Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo said. “It’s not the trophy we’re after, but it is a nice accomplishment. It’s been a fantastic year, it really has.”

The Jets, according to ESPN Research, are the eighth Canadian team to win the award that was first handed out in 1985-86. The Edmonton Oilers, in 1985-86 and 1986-87, were the first Canadian winners.

“It’s really appreciated,” Arniel said when asked about the fans giving the club a standing ovation for the award. “They’ve been great fans, and they’ve been real loud, and supporting us all the way, and believe me, it is felt.”

For Edmonton, Corey Perry had a goal and an assist, Connor McDavid had two assists, and Connor Brown, Adam Henrique and Viktor Arvidsson also scored in the victory. The Jets sat star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck along with captain Adam Lowry and defensemen Josh Morrissey, Neal Pionk and Luke Schenn in the loss.

Winnipeg will end the regular season at home against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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