Alex Ovechkin only 9 NHL goals away from tying Gretzky

The New York Rangers surrendered a late lead in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.

Rangers missed a chance to extend their winning streak to three games for the first time since November.

Alex Ovechkin tied the game with a power-play goal in the third period, moving within 10 goals of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record, before Tom Wilson scored the winner with 52 seconds left in overtime.

“Guys are disappointed,” Rangers center Vincent Trocheck said. “But I think there’s a lot of good things to take from that game.”

Rangers slip late:

The Rangers (31-26-5) had won four of their previous five games but remain winless this season against the Eastern Conference-leading Capitals. Washington outshot New York 9-3 in the third period and has now swept the season series.

With the loss, the Rangers are tied with the Ottawa Senators for the final wild-card spot, though Ottawa holds the advantage based on points percentage. The two teams will meet in a key matchup on Saturday.

Trade deadline looms:

The Rangers now turn their attention to the NHL trade deadline, which arrives Friday at 3 p.m. Team president Chris Drury is expected to move forward Reilly Smith, who has been held out for “roster management purposes.”

The team is also exploring options for a left-handed defenseman to bolster the lineup.

Jones, Carrick contribute:

Defenseman Zac Jones set up Artemi Panarin’s first-period goal but later took a hooking penalty that led to Ovechkin’s equaliser.

Forward Sam Carrick gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead in the second period, scoring on a backhand finish. He later fought Washington’s Brandon Duhaime, nearly completing a Gordie Howe hat trick.

“I figured that was a pretty good time to just try to spark the boys,” Carrick said. “The whole team answered really well.”

Physical play, power play struggles:

Head coach Peter Laviolette showed confidence in his fourth line, featuring Carrick, Matt Rempe, and Brett Berard. The unit allowed only one shot against in over seven minutes of ice time.

“They took some matchups,” Laviolette said. “That line can be effective and hard to play against.”

While the Rangers’ defense limited Washington to 23 shots, their power play struggled, going 0-for-4 without injured regulars Adam Fox and Chris Kreider. “We had point-blank chances to score, and it didn’t find the back of the net,” Laviolette said.

Closing the gap:

The Rangers have improved in tight-checking games, limiting the Capitals to two regulation goals after conceding 12 in their previous two meetings. They also showed increased physicality, with Juuso Pärssinen fighting in just his third game with the team.

“Washington is one of the most physical teams in the league, and we hung right in there with them,” Carrick said. “That’s what you need to come together as a team, to stick up for each other.”

New York will look to rebound Saturday in Ottawa as they continue their push for a playoff spot.