Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin scored in the third period of the Capitals' 7-4 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday afternoon, bringing him within 23 of breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time scoring record.

Alex Ovechkin scored his 872nd career goal to move 23 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record, and the Washington Capitals beat the struggling New York Rangers 7-4.

Dylan Strome had a goal and two assists, Alex Ovechkin added his 872nd career goal and the Washington Capitals earned a 7-4 victory against the visiting New York Rangers on Saturday. Logan Thompson made 29 saves for the Capitals as Ovechkin inched closer to Wayne Gretzky's NHL record of 894 goals.

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is officially set to make his return to chasing Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He comes back to action from a fractured fibula injury that kept him sidelines for 16 games.

Marco Rossi tied it in the third period, Matt Boldy scored the shootout winner and the Minnesota Wild rallied to beat the Washington Capitals 4-3 after Alex Ovechkin moved one step closer to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record.

Ovechkin, who suffered a broken left fibula in November, and the Capitals will face the Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkin scored his 871st NHL goal, moving within 24 of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record, but the Washington Capitals lost 4-3 in a shootout to the Minnesota Wild at Capital One Arena on Thursday.

Alex Ovechkin scored his 872nd career goal to move 23 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record, and the Washington Capitals beat the struggling New York Rangers 7-4 Saturday. Ovechkin has four goals in five games since returning from missing the previous 16 because of a broken left leg.