Capitals' Alex Ovechkin step closer to record after goal 892 - ESPN

RALEIGH, N.C. — Alex Ovechkin moved another step closer to breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL record by scoring his 892nd career goal in the Washington Capitals' 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night.

Ovechkin moved two away from tying Gretzky and three from passing him.

The 39-year-old Russian said he was disappointed in his team's loss and that he couldn't score another one. He had a point-blank shot stopped by Carolina goalie Frederik Andersen early in the second period with the Capitals trailing 3-0.

«We have a pretty good chance in the second, first shift a breakaway,» Ovechkin said. «And in this game, if you have a chance, you have to use it, and I think all goalies play well tonight.»

Ovechkin also had an early chance to set the tone for the night, but just five minutes in, he had the puck poked away from behind by Carolina's top defenseman, Jaccob Slavin.

To get No. 892, Ovechkin beat Andersen on a 5-on-3 power-play with 34.5 seconds left in the second period. He now has 10 goals in 13 career games against Andersen, 53 overall in the 92 games he has faced Carolina, and 32 in 46 games in Raleigh, which is the most of any visiting player.

Commissioner Gary Bettman, Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and Ovechkin's wife, Nastya, were in attendance for No. 892, sitting together in a suite.

All eyes were on Ovechkin and «The GR8 Chase,» but the third period devolved into an old-school, rough-and-tumble hockey game. Eight players, four from each team, were given misconduct penalties after multiple fights and scrums.

Ovechkin was poised to get another late power-play chance before Connor McMichael had a roughing penalty tacked on to his fighting major.

«We understand there's a possibility to see them in the