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

WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkin scored his 872nd NHL goal, moving within 23 of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record, to help the Washington Capitals to a 7-4 win against the New York Rangers at Capital One Arena on Saturday.

There was something vintage about this, about the way Chris Kreider faded toward the high slot after the Rangers won a faceoff midway through the third period Thursday.

The New York Rangers are trying to stay confident as their season continues to slip away. The Washington Capitals beat them 7-4 on Saturday to give them 16 losses in their past 21 games.

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups.

On the penalty kill side of the play, the Capitals' PK killed off all four shorthanded situations. The PK has rarely been an area of concern this season, so it's nice to see them stay consistent and keep the Rangers off the board there.

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

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. The 39-year-old has 19 goals this season and is on pace to pass ...

Watch for Tom Wilson to be dangerous. He loves playing New York and had a goal (another was called back) last game, and has totalled four points in has last four games overall. - Look for Lars ...

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.

The NHL is back from its holiday roster freeze and fewer than two months away from the trade deadline. So far, there have been 15 trades, four coaching changes, plus extensions signed by Igor Shesterkin,