The Capitals are averaging 3.63 goals per game this season.

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

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

While Quick grew up idolizing former Rangers Hall of Fame goaltender Mike Richter, the league is filled with American-born goalies who were growing up while Quick dominated at the peak of his career. One of which is Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman, who played opposite Quick on Thursday.

The Rangers had come into Washington having stopped a four-game losing streak Thursday in Madison Square Garden against Boston. But they couldn’t build on it, and with the loss, the Rangers (17-20-1) have now failed to win consecutive games since they won three straight from Nov. 14-19.

Alex Ovechkin scored his 872nd career goal to move 23 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record, and the Washington Capitals beat the ... and Aliaksei Protas also scored against Jonathan Quick, who remains stuck on 399 career wins.

Dylan Strome had a goal and two assists, Alex Ovechkin added his 872nd career goal and the Washington Capitals ... who are 5-16-0 since Nov. 21. Jonathan Quick made 21 saves for New York.

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.

The Capitals have been playing well, with a 5-4-1 record in their last 10 games. They'll visit the KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Monday night.

WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin scored his 872nd ... Connor McMichael and Aliaksei Protas also scored against Jonathan Quick, who remains stuck on 399 career wins. Tom Wilson sealed it with an ...