In his first game back following a five-week stint on injured reserve, Ovechkin notched an empty-net goal to seal the deal against the Maple Leafs. The goal was assisted by Aliaksei Protas and ...

BOTTOM LINE: The Buffalo Sabres play the Washington Capitals as losers of three straight games. Buffalo has a 14-21-5 record overall and a 7-10-3 record on its home ice. The Sabres are 3-5-4 in one-goal games. Washington has gone 13-6-0 in road games and 26-10-3 overall. The Capitals are 11-4-1 when scoring a power-play goal.

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.

The fact Ovechkin is accelerating through the finish line is making this chase of Gretzky even more compelling. And consider the broader implications beyond just the all-time goal scoring record: the Capitals are currently leading the Metropolitan Division and appear primed for a deep playoff push.

NHL slate features the Washington Capitals (30-10-5) hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins (19-20-8) at Capital One Arena, starting at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. The Capitals are first and the Penguins 13th in the Eastern Conference.

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The Ottawa Senators return home with a tall order as they take on the best team in the East and League — the Washington Capitals. Washington leads the league with a 0.716 save percentage at 63 points in 44 games.

Luc Dubois and the Anaheim Ducks’ Frank Vatrano will be two of the most exciting players to watch when these teams play on Tuesday at 7:00 PM ET, at Capital One Arena. Buy tickets for this game at StubHub!

The left wing practiced Monday on a line with Dubois at center and Aliaksei Protas at right wing. Ovechkin, who has 20 goals in 27 games this season and is 22 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky ’s NHL record of 894 goals, has played regularly with Dylan Strome, who practiced on a line with Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson.