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.

The mounting losses have eroded nearly every part of the Rangers’ game, even the one that was once a foundational piece of their success.

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WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkin scored his 872nd NHL goal, moving within 23 of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record, to help the Washington Capitals to a 7-4 win against the New York Rangers at Capital One Arena on Saturday.

The New York Rangers will be without veteran forward Chris Kreider for at least three games after the team placed him on injured reserve Tuesday, per New York Post's Larry Brooks. The move is retroactive to Saturday’s game against the Washington Capitals, where Kreider scored before leaving due to an upper-body injury.

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has now moved within 23 goals of catching Wayne Gretzky for most goals in NHL history.

The New York Rangers will travel to Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. to take on the Washington Capitals Saturday afternoon. The Rangers are coming off a 2-1 win against the Boston Bruins Thursday and are 17-19-1 on the season. The Capitals are 25-10-3 and lost to the Minnesota Wild Thursday, 4-3.

ABC, ESPN+. Radio: 106.7 THE FAN, Caps Radio 24/7. New York Rangers (17-19-1) Washington Capitals (25-10-3) The C

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.

Speaking during ESPN's broadcast of the game on Saturday, former Rangers captain and six-time Stanley Cup winner Mark Messier did not hold back in his assessment of the team’s current state.

Prediction for the NHL Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers match will occur on January 4. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

The Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals are clicking on all cylinders, and their high-powered offense is poised to prevail over a New York Rangers team still struggling to find its footing.