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 blows a pair of leads in a 4-3 loss even as Alex Ovechkin pulls within 24 goals of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s hallowed goals record. The Minnesota Wild has had the Washington Capitals’ number over the past three seasons, and that run continued Thursday night at Capital One Arena — with this latest chapter ending in a shootout.