In a thrilling matchup, Alex Ovechkin netted his 872nd career goal, bringing him closer to Wayne Gretzky's NHL record of 894 goals. The Washington Capitals triumphed over the New York Rangers with a score of 7-4. Ovechkin's return from injury has been impactful, as he has scored four times in five games since coming back from a broken leg.
The Capitals showcased a balanced attack with contributions from Dylan Strome, Lars Eller, Andrew Mangiapane, Connor McMichael, and Aliaksei Protas. Despite Jonathan Quick's struggles in goal for the Rangers, allowing six goals on 27 shots, the team managed to stay competitive with goals from Chris Kreider, Sam Carrick, Filip Chytil, and Mika Zibanejad.
The Rangers' defeat marks their 16th loss in 21 games, causing them to plummet in the standings. Coach Peter Laviolette's position is under scrutiny as the team continues to underperform, despite showing potential in their previous game against Boston. Meanwhile, the Capitals, although not at their best, continue to find ways to win, with their power-play unit thriving.
