Alex Ovechkin moved three goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record after scoring the 892nd of his career in the Washington Capitals’ game at the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Alex Ovechkin scored his 892nd goal, moving within three of breaking Wayne Gretzky 's NHL record, but the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 5-1 to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the seventh straight season at Lenovo Center on Wednesday.

Counting this game, he has eight games left in the regular season. Ovechkin has 38 goals this season at age 39, including three in his last four games. He scored once against Carolina earlier this season.

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin inched closer to breaking Wayne Gretzky's career goals record on Wednesday night with a score against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Reminders of Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record are all over Washington and the surrounding suburbs of the nation’s capital.

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin scored his 891st career goal and needs four to pass Wayne Gretzky's record. Highlights from win vs. Bruins.

At the time of publication, Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin is two goals shy of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goal record. As of now, the 39-year-old left wing has 892 scores under his belt; “the Great One” ended his career with 894.

Alex Ovechkin scored career goal No. 892 for the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night against the Carolina Hurricans, putting him four away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL record of 894.