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

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is officially set to make his return to chasing Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He comes back to action from a fractured fibula injury that kept him sidelines for 16 games.

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.

Ovechkin, 39, had a red-hot start to the season and had scored five goals in his previous two games before the injury. His 15 goals this season puts him at 868 for his career, 27 away from breaking the NHL record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky.

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.

Marco Rossi tied it in the third period, Matt Boldy scored the shootout winner and the Minnesota Wild rallied to beat the Washington Capitals 4-3 after Alex Ovechkin moved one step closer to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record.

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.