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

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.

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.

It’s nice. It doesn’t always happen,” Capitals General Manager Chris Patrick said of the attention on Washington’s prospects. “It did feel like a bit of a throwback.”

Hockey fans everywhere are laser-focused on Alex Ovechkin’s quest for the NHL’s all-time goals record, but the Capitals great’s pursuit of history isn’t the only buzz the franchise is generating this season.

Ryan Leonard and Cole Hutson helped Team USA win back-to-back World Junior gold medals for the first time ever.

JJ Peterka had a goal and an assist and had the deciding goal in the shootout to help lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 4-3 win against the Washington Capitals on Monday night. Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson also scored for the Sabres.