Alex Ovechkin is a hat trick away from The Record

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Alex Ovechkin scored his 892nd career regular-season goal last night in the Washington Capitals' 5-1 loss at Carolina. That puts him just three away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL record, which No. 99 has held for 31 years.

Washington has just seven games left on its schedule, but Ovechkin seems very  determined to not wait until next season to grab the record. Last night's goal, on (what else?) a one-timer from the left circle during a Caps powerplay, was his sixth in his last nine games, and he's now scored in three straight.

With 39 goals on the season, the 39-year-old Russian is tied for third on the NHL leaderboard despite missing nearly six weeks with a broken leg. Based on his scoring pace for both this season and his entire career, Ovechkin is now projected to surpass Gretzky on April 13 at home against Columbus, with two games to spare.

It's even quite possible that he'll own the record before the week is out. On Friday night, Washington hosts lowly Chicago, which has surrendered more goals this season than every team except San Jose. On Sunday afternoon, the Caps visit the New York Islanders, who are fading from playoff contention and mediocre in terms of goal prevention.

Plus, Ovechkin might be extra-motivated to get the record over these next two contests. That's because he's now played 1,485 games — two fewer than Gretzky's career total.

WATCH | Ovechkin inches closer to record, scores 892nd goal:

Ovechkin scores his 892nd career goal, now only 3 goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL record

To duck in under the Great One, Ovechkin needs