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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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.

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.

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.

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups.

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.

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 ...

With Ovi set to break Gretzky's career goals record, many comparisons have been drawn between them. But only one man can say he was a teammate of both.