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T.J. Oshie's return to the Washington Capitals' lineup on Sunday was a timely one, both for the team's playoff hopes and for the veteran winger's personal milestone. Oshie, who had missed the past two games due to injury, notched two assists in a crucial 3-0 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, propelling the Capitals back into a playoff position.The 37-year-old's presence was sorely missed during his absence, as the Capitals struggled to maintain their momentum in the Eastern Conference playoff race. With Tom Wilson serving a six-game suspension, Oshie's return provides a much-needed boost to the team's offense and leadership."We found a way to get the job done," Oshie said after the game. "That was my message to them before the game is how much I absolutely appreciate all this stuff, but we need to get a win, that is focus No. 1."Oshie's return was not only a boost for the Capitals on the ice but also a special moment for the player himself. Prior to the game, the Capitals honored Oshie for playing in his 1,000th NHL game, a milestone he reached on March 16 in Vancouver."I was really excited to just get to No. 1,000," Oshie said. "I guess you don't really think about the support and the love that comes after, so I can't thank everyone here enough."The ceremony included a pregame tribute where Capitals players wore No. 77 jerseys, which will be autographed and auctioned off with proceeds going to the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation. Oshie's father, Tim, died of the disease in 2018, and the player has been a vocal advocate for Alzheimer's research."He's one of the elite players in the league," said Jets assistant coach Scott Arniel, who worked with Oshie in Washington for four seasons. "A lot of people, not only his NHL career but what he did at the Olympics, the shootout stuff that happened, him scoring all those goals in all the different ways."With the Capitals now back in the playoff hunt, Oshie's experience and leadership will be crucial in the remaining games of the regular season. The team's next game, a pivotal matchup against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, will be a test of their playoff aspirations.

Alex Ovechkin's recent scoring surge has propelled the Washington Capitals back into playoff contention. The Russian superstar netted two goals against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, reaching 26 goals for the season and fueling Washington's 3-0 victory.Ovechkin's offensive explosion has coincided with the Capitals' recent resurgence. After scoring just eight goals in his first 43 games, he has now tallied eight goals in his last five outings. This hot streak has reignited talk of Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, as he now trails the legendary scorer by 46 goals.The Capitals' victory over the Jets was a testament to their newfound offensive prowess. After a scoreless first period, John Carlson broke the deadlock with a power-play goal just over a minute into the third period. Ovechkin then added two goals in quick succession, securing the win for Washington.While Ovechkin's goalscoring exploits stole the headlines, the Capitals' victory was also due in large part to the stellar play of goaltender Charlie Lindgren. Lindgren stopped all 27 shots he faced, outdueling Connor Hellebuyck, one of the frontrunners for the Vezina Trophy.The Capitals' victory moved them into the second and final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, ahead of the Detroit Red Wings. However, the race for the playoffs remains tight, with the Capitals just one point ahead of the Red Wings and two points behind the Philadelphia Flyers.The Capitals will face a pivotal showdown with the Red Wings on Tuesday night, a game that could determine who remains in playoff contention. The Jets, meanwhile, will host the Edmonton Oilers and reigning MVP Connor McDavid on Tuesday night.

Carlos Sainz's triumph at the Australian Grand Prix marked a significant upset in the Formula 1 season, breaking Red Bull's winning streak and handing Ferrari their first 1-2 finish since 2022.Sainz, who missed the previous race in Saudi Arabia due to an emergency appendectomy, made a remarkable return to the track. Starting alongside Max Verstappen on the front row, he held his position into turn one and swiftly overtook the Dutchman on lap two. Verstappen's retirement two laps later due to a mechanical failure handed Sainz the lead, which he maintained throughout the race.Sainz's victory was a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite the physical challenges he faced after his surgery, he managed his pace and tires expertly, controlling the race from the front. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, finished second, giving Ferrari their first 1-2 result since the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix.McLaren's Lando Norris secured his first podium at Albert Park, finishing third. Australian Oscar Piastri impressed in fourth place, while Sergio Pérez rounded out the top five for Red Bull.The race concluded under the virtual safety car after Mercedes' George Russell crashed on turn seven, preventing any last-lap drama.Sainz's victory was a major boost for Ferrari, who have struggled to match Red Bull's pace in recent races. It also marked a significant moment for the Spaniard, who will replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari from 2025."I felt really good out there," Sainz said after the race. "It wasn't the easiest, but I was lucky that I was more or less on my own so I could just manage my pace, manage the tires, manage everything."Sainz's win has injected excitement into the Formula 1 season, proving that Red Bull's dominance is not unassailable. Ferrari and other teams will be eager to challenge the reigning champions in the races to come.

Congress, BJP Announce Candidates for Lok Sabha Polls; Electoral Bond Controversy RagesThe Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have released their fourth and third lists of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, respectively. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh will contest from Rajgarh, while Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai will run from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Varanasi seat.Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) is investigating allegations that electoral bonds were used to influence project clearances in Telangana. The report submitted to the EC suggests a link between bond purchases and the award of contracts to donor companies.The Congress has also accused the BJP of legalizing bribes through electoral bonds, claiming that they facilitate "prepaid, postpaid, and post-raid bribes." An analysis of State Bank of India data reveals that 38 corporate groups received government contracts worth ₹3.8 lakh crore after donating electoral bonds to the BJP.In other developments, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has raised concerns with the CEC over the Delhi Police blocking access to its office after the arrest of party chief Arvind Kejriwal. The AAP has sought a meeting to present their grievances.Munnar, known for its misty mornings, has experienced an unusual lack of frost this winter, marking a departure from its usual pattern. Data from the United Planters Association of South India tea research center shows that no sub-zero temperatures were recorded in Munnar town this year.In Bihar, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) has shortlisted candidates for its 16 constituencies, with several incumbents being repeated. The party president and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has opted to retain many candidates, barring a few seats.The Karnataka government has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Centre for denying financial assistance for drought management in the state. The move is expected to trigger a political debate ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) president Prakash Ambedkar has maintained an ambivalent stance towards forging an alliance with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The VBA will announce its decision on March 26 on whether it will contest the elections independently or join the MVA.In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP will deploy women members from the Muslim community as agents on minority-dominant polling booths to prevent bogus voting. The BJP Minority Morcha has planned this initiative, focusing on areas where the party claims to have received reports of bogus voting in previous elections.

Para-athlete Suvarna Raj, a beacon of resilience and determination, has overcome immense challenges to achieve remarkable success in her sporting career. Diagnosed with polio at the tender age of two, Raj faced societal stigma and limited opportunities. However, her unwavering spirit and unwavering support from her family propelled her to defy expectations.Raj's journey to the pinnacle of para-sports was arduous and filled with obstacles. It took her 33 years to prove her worth, a testament to her indomitable will. Her perseverance paid off when she clinched two medals at the 2014 Asian Para Games in Korea and two more at the Thailand Para Table Tennis Open in 2013.At the NDTV Indian of the Year 2024 award ceremony, Raj shared her inspiring story, highlighting the challenges faced by disabled individuals in society. She emphasized the need for a more inclusive and supportive environment, where people with disabilities are not marginalized but celebrated for their abilities.Raj's achievements have not only brought her personal glory but have also inspired countless others. Her story serves as a reminder that with determination and support, anything is possible. She has become a role model for aspiring para-athletes, proving that disability is not a barrier to success.Meanwhile, the Indian women's cricket team was honored with the 'Sports Performance of the Year' award at the same ceremony. The team, represented by Shreyanka Patil, Shafali Verma, Sneh Rana, and Radha Yadav, has made significant strides in recent years, thanks to the support of the BCCI.Shreyanka Patil expressed her gratitude for the recognition and acknowledged the positive changes in women's cricket in India. She credited the BCCI for providing equal opportunities and financial support, which has empowered the team to achieve greater heights.

Max Verstappen, the reigning three-time world champion, continued his dominance by securing his third consecutive pole position of the season at the Australian Grand Prix. The Dutch driver's blistering lap time of 1 minute 15.915 seconds at Melbourne's Albert Park circuit put him 0.270 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.Sainz, who returned to the cockpit just two weeks after undergoing appendicitis surgery, put in a valiant effort to secure second place on the grid. He will join Verstappen on the front row, setting the stage for an intense battle on Sunday."A bit unexpected today, but very happy -- both (Q3) laps felt very nice," said Verstappen, who is aiming to repeat his 2022 victory in Australia. "A bit of a tricky weekend so far, Ferrari seem very quick in the long runs so that makes tomorrow exciting."Sergio Perez, Verstappen's Red Bull teammate, will start third, while Lando Norris of McLaren surprised with a fourth-place finish. Charles Leclerc, the 2022 Melbourne winner, qualified fifth in the second Ferrari, followed by McLaren's Oscar Piastri in sixth.Mercedes' George Russell secured seventh place, ahead of Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull and the Aston Martin duo of Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso. However, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton suffered a setback, failing to make it into Q3 and starting in 11th position."It's been a tough couple of weeks, a lot of days in bed waiting to see if I could be here today," said Sainz, expressing relief at his performance. "To put it on the front row after leading through qualifying, I was almost not believing it."Despite Sainz's efforts, Verstappen remains the favorite for victory. The Dutchman has won the opening two races of the season and is chasing a record-breaking 10th consecutive win. Red Bull, meanwhile, is aiming for its third straight 1-2 finish.Sainz topped Q2 ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc, while Hamilton's elimination was a major upset. Tsunoda, the only driver outside the top five teams to make it into Q3, benefited from Hamilton's misfortune.Haas' Kevin Magnussen and Valtteri Bottas of Sauber also missed out in Q2, along with Esteban Ocon of Alpine and Alex Albon of Williams. Sainz was also fastest in Q1, followed by Perez and Verstappen.Zhou Guanyu of Sauber finished last, while Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, Pierre Gasly of Alpine, and Nico Hulkenberg of Haas failed to progress beyond Q1. Logan Sargeant was absent after his Williams was given to teammate Albon, who crashed on Saturday. With no spare chassis available, Williams opted to field only one car.

In a thrilling encounter that could shape the Eastern Conference playoff race, the Washington Capitals rallied from a 4-2 deficit to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 7-6 in a shootout on Friday night.Sonny Milano stole the show with his first NHL hat trick, including a remarkable goal where he juggled the puck on his stick and batted it into the net. Alex Ovechkin continued his scoring tear with his 846th career goal, moving him closer to Wayne Gretzky's all-time record.The Capitals' comeback was sparked by John Carlson's goal early in the third period, followed by Connor McMichael's tally minutes later. Dylan Strome sealed the victory with the lone goal in the shootout.Carolina, who had won five straight games, was led by Sebastian Aho's hat trick. Jaccob Slavin, Brady Skjei, and Seth Jarvis also scored for the Hurricanes.Goaltender Charlie Lindgren was a key factor in the Capitals' victory, making seven saves in the third period and overtime after replacing Darcy Kuemper. Pyotr Kochetkov allowed six goals on 25 shots for Carolina.The win moves the Capitals one point behind Detroit for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and two points behind Philadelphia for third place in the Metropolitan Division. They have played one fewer game than both teams.Carolina, a potential first-round playoff opponent for Washington, suffered only their second loss since acquiring Jake Guentzel and Evgeny Kuznetsov at the trade deadline.Kuznetsov, who was traded from Washington to Carolina two weeks ago, received a standing ovation during and after an emotional video tribute.The Capitals were without injured forwards T.J. Oshie and Aliaksei Protas and played their first game without winger Tom Wilson, who is serving a six-game suspension.

Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson has been suspended for six games by the NHL's Department of Player Safety for a high-sticking incident involving Toronto Maple Leafs forward Noah Gregor. The suspension, which is tied for the longest handed out this season, stems from an incident late in Wednesday's game between the two teams.Wilson swung his stick in a "reckless fashion," striking Gregor in the face and drawing a double-minor penalty. The league's video announcing the suspension emphasized that Wilson's actions were "not related to any sort of legitimate hockey action" and that he is "accountable for the dangerous result of the play."This is the sixth time Wilson has been suspended since 2017, and his first since a seven-game ban for boarding in 2021. He has also been fined three times for various offenses. The suspension will cost Wilson $161,458 in salary and will sideline him for upcoming games against Winnipeg, Detroit, Toronto, Boston, and Buffalo.Wilson's absence is a significant blow to the Capitals, who are currently battling for a playoff spot. He is the team's All-Star representative and has 17 goals this season, third-most among remaining players after the trade deadline."Huge absence in our lineup," said Capitals coach Spencer Carbery. "I don't need to go into length about what he provides our team from a leadership standpoint, veteran presence standpoint, what he does on the ice."Wilson, who signed a seven-year, $45.5 million contract extension that begins next season, is considered a potential successor to Alex Ovechkin as captain and face of the franchise. He will not be eligible to return until April.

The Indian women's hockey team's failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics has left a profound impact on captain Savita Punia. The team's fourth-place finish in Tokyo just three years ago had raised hopes, but the recent setback has shattered those dreams.Punia, known as the "Great Wall" of Indian hockey, has been grappling with the disappointment. "Losing the Olympic qualifiers is such a bad moment that we will probably not be able to forget our entire life," she said. "I haven't been able to get over it yet."In the aftermath of the qualifiers, Punia sought solace in yoga and meditation. She also returned to the field quickly, competing in the FIH Pro League and the ongoing Nationals in Pune. "The good thing about sports is that you have to forget the past and move forward very quickly," she explained.Despite her efforts to move on, Punia admits that the pain of missing out on the Olympics lingers. "We were confident and well-prepared, but you cannot predict anything in sports," she said. "We all did our best and our preparation was very good. It's a lot about luck also."Punia's husband has been a source of support during this difficult time. "He said that we could not change what happened but can look ahead and play as long as you want to play," she said.The Indian team will now focus on the upcoming Pro League matches in Belgium in May-June. Punia believes that a new core group will emerge after the Nationals, and she is prepared for the changes. "Now a new core group will be formed and some new players will also come," she said. "The focus will be on fitness and drag flicks."Despite the disappointment of missing out on the Olympics, Punia remains committed to hockey. "Hockey is my passion and the more I stay away from the field, the more it will bother me," she said.