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 39-year-old snuck a backhanded shot past New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick to give Washington a 5-3 lead in what would become a 7-4 win, marking his 19th goal of the year and his fourth in his last five games played.

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.

The Great Eight is within striking distance of Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record of 894, which Gretzky reached on March 29, 1999 against the New York Islanders. Ovechkin began this season with 853 career goals. He's now at 868.

At this point, the record falling looks imminent. But when? Now that's an interesting and possibly infuriating question.

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.