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Ryan Nugent-Hopkins gets 4th career hat trick as Oilers hold on to beat Kraken 5-4

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Ryan Nugent-Hopkins gets 4th career hat trick as Oilers hold on to beat Kraken 5-4
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Ryan Nugent-Hopkins gets 4th career hat trick as Oilers hold on to beat Kraken 5-4

2025-03-23 13:15 Last Updated At:13:31

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored three goals for his fourth career hat trick, and the Edmonton Oilers held on to beat the Seattle Kraken 5-4 on Saturday night.

Adam Henrique and Jeff Skinner also scored, and Mattias Ekholm and Darnell Nurse each had two assists for the Oilers, who moved to 4-0-1 in their last five games despite playing without star forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Stuart Skinner finished with 27 saves.

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Seattle Kraken's Michael Eyssimont (21) skates past as Edmonton Oilers' Jeff Skinner (53) celebrates a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Michael Eyssimont (21) skates past as Edmonton Oilers' Jeff Skinner (53) celebrates a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Matty Beniers (10) skates past as Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) celebrates a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Matty Beniers (10) skates past as Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) celebrates a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Kaapo Kakko (84) celebrates a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Kaapo Kakko (84) celebrates a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers players celebrate a goal against the Seattle Kraken during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers players celebrate a goal against the Seattle Kraken during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Adam Larsson (6) and Matty Beniers (10) battle for the puck with Edmonton Oilers' Viktor Arvidsson (33) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Adam Larsson (6) and Matty Beniers (10) battle for the puck with Edmonton Oilers' Viktor Arvidsson (33) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Andre Burakovsky (95) celebrates a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Andre Burakovsky (95) celebrates a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes the save as Jake Walman (96) tries for the rebound against the Seattle Kraken during third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes the save as Jake Walman (96) tries for the rebound against the Seattle Kraken during third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) celebrates his hat trick goal against the Seattle Kraken during third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) celebrates his hat trick goal against the Seattle Kraken during third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Kaapo Kakko had two goals, and Jaden Schwartz and Andre Burakovsky also scored for the Kraken, who have lost two straight. Jared McCann and Jani Nyman each had two assists, and Joey Daccord finished with 24 saves.

Nugent-Hopkins scored at even strength, on the power play, and short-handed.

Henrique and Kakko had power-play goals 1:19 apart in the first period for a 1-1 tie after 20 minutes.

After Nugent-Hopkins and Kakko exchanged goals early in the second, Jeff Skinner put the Oilers ahead with 7 1/2 minutes left in the period, and Nugent-Hopkins scored with the man-advantage to make it 4-2.

Burakovsky pulled the Kraken within one at 5:57 of the third, but Nugent-Hopkins scored short-handed with 2:17 left to restore the Oilers' two-goal lead. Schwartz's power-play goal 14 seconds later capped the scoring.

Kraken: Kakko moved one point shy of his career high of 40 points, achieved with the New York Rangers in the 2022-2023. Nyman, elevated to the first line in just the 20-year-old's sixth NHL game, picked up his first two NHL assists.

Oilers: It was the first time since McDavid was drafted by the Oilers that both he and Draisaitl were out of the lineup with injuries.

Trailing by one, Seattle pulled its goalie while on a power play for a two-man advantage, but Nugent-Hopkins sent the puck the length of the ice into the empty net to complete the hat trick and push the Oilers' lead to 5-3.

Edmonton has won nine straight against the Kraken while outscoring them 38-21.

Kraken visit Calgary on Tuesday, and Oilers host Dallas on Wednesday.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Seattle Kraken's Michael Eyssimont (21) skates past as Edmonton Oilers' Jeff Skinner (53) celebrates a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Michael Eyssimont (21) skates past as Edmonton Oilers' Jeff Skinner (53) celebrates a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Matty Beniers (10) skates past as Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) celebrates a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Matty Beniers (10) skates past as Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) celebrates a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Kaapo Kakko (84) celebrates a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Kaapo Kakko (84) celebrates a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers players celebrate a goal against the Seattle Kraken during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers players celebrate a goal against the Seattle Kraken during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Adam Larsson (6) and Matty Beniers (10) battle for the puck with Edmonton Oilers' Viktor Arvidsson (33) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Adam Larsson (6) and Matty Beniers (10) battle for the puck with Edmonton Oilers' Viktor Arvidsson (33) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Andre Burakovsky (95) celebrates a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Kraken's Andre Burakovsky (95) celebrates a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes the save as Jake Walman (96) tries for the rebound against the Seattle Kraken during third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes the save as Jake Walman (96) tries for the rebound against the Seattle Kraken during third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) celebrates his hat trick goal against the Seattle Kraken during third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) celebrates his hat trick goal against the Seattle Kraken during third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Eurovision explained as the extravagant pop contest reaches its grand final

2025-05-16 20:19 Last Updated At:20:21

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — There has already been triumph and tears, singing onstage and in the streets, and a touch of political division, as the 69th Eurovision Song Contest approaches its grand final in the Swiss city of Basel.

Musical acts from 26 countries will take the stage at the St. Jakobshalle arena on Saturday in a spectacular, sequin-drenched competition that has been uniting and dividing Europeans since 1956.

Here’s everything to know:

Eurovision is competition in which performers from countries across Europe, and a few beyond it, compete under their national flags with the aim of being crowned continental champion. Think of it as the Olympics of pop music or the World Cup with singing instead of soccer.

It’s a celebration of silly fun and music’s unifying power, but also a place where politics and regional rivalries play out.

“It’s Europe’s biggest cultural event,” said Dean Vuletic, an expert on the history of Eurovision. “It has been going on for almost 70 years and people love to watch it, not only for the show, for the glitter, the stage effects, the crazy costumes, but also because they like to see it as a reflection of the zeitgeist in Europe.”

Of 37 countries that sent performers to Eurovision, 11 were knocked out by public voting in semifinals on Tuesday and Thursday. Another six automatically qualified for the final: the host, Switzerland, and the “Big Five” that pay the most to the contest — France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K.

The 26 countries competing Saturday, in order of performance, are: Norway, Luxembourg, Estonia, Israel, Lithuania, Spain, Ukraine, the U.K, Austria, Iceland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Poland, Germany, Greece, Armenia, Switzerland, Malta, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, France, San Marino and Albania.

Favorites, according to oddsmakers, are KAJ, representing Sweden with “Bara Bada Bastu,” a jaunty serenade to the sauna. Dutch singer Claude is also highly rated with soulful ballad “C’est La Vie.” Other favorites include classically trained Austrian countertenor JJ with his pop-opera song “Wasted Love,” and Israel’s Yuval Raphael, with her anthemic “New Day Will Rise.”

Eurovision has a reputation for campy europop with nonsense lyrics — past winners include “La, La, La” and “Boom Bang-a-Bang.” But It has also produced some enduring pop classics. And it helped make stars of performers including ABBA — winners in 1974 with “Waterloo” — Celine Dion, Austrian drag performer Conchita Wurst and Italian rock band Måneskin.

This year’s finalists range from Lithuanian emo rockers Katarsis to a power ballad Spanish diva Melody and Ukrainian prog rockers Ziferblat.

Campiness, humor and double entendres abound. “Espresso Macchiato” is a comic ode to Italian stereotypes performed by Estonia’s Tommy Cash. Miriana Conte sings for Malta with the double entendre-filled “Serving” -- performed on a set including a glitter ball and giant lips, it is classic Eurovision.

It was once widely accepted that the most successful Eurovision songs were in English, but that is changing. This year’s contest features songs in a record 20 languages, including Ukrainian, Icelandic, Latvian, Maltese and Armenian.

Vuletic said viewers these days want “more authenticity in Eurovision entries.

“They don’t just want a standard pop song sung in English,” he said. “They want to also see something about the culture of the country that the song represents.”

Once all the acts have performed in the final, the winner is chosen by a famously complex mix of phone and online voters from around the world and rankings by music-industry juries in each of the Eurovision countries. As the results are announced, countries slide up and down the rankings and tensions build.

Ending up with “nul points,” or zero, is considered a national humiliation.

The final starts Saturday at 1900 GMT (3 p.m. EDT) and will be aired by national broadcasters in participating nations, on streaming service Peacock in the United States and in many countries on the Eurovision YouTube channel.

During and immediately after the final, viewers in participating countries can vote by phone, text message or the Eurovision app — but not for their own country. Viewers in the U.S. and other nonparticipating countries can vote all day Saturday, online at www.esc.vote or with the app. The combined “rest of the world” vote is given the weight of one individual country.

The contest’s motto is “united by music,” but the world’s divisions inevitably intrude.

Russia was banned from Eurovision after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and since then Ukrainian musicians — including 2022 winner Kalush Orchestra — have competed under the shadow of war in the home country.

This year’s contest has been roiled for a second year by disputes over Israel’s participation. Dozens of former participants, including Nemo, have called for Israel to be excluded over its conduct in the war against Hamas in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests have both taken place in Basel, though on a much smaller scale than at last year’s event in Sweden.

A handful of protesters attempted to disrupt a rehearsal by Israeli singer Raphael on Thursday with oversized flags and whistles and were escorted from the arena. Organizers say they have tightened security ahead of the final.

Miriana Conte from Malta performs the song "SERVING" during the second semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Miriana Conte from Malta performs the song "SERVING" during the second semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Yuval Raphael from Israel performs the song "New Day Will Rise" during the second semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Yuval Raphael from Israel performs the song "New Day Will Rise" during the second semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

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