Alex Ovechkin moved within 19 goals of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record, scoring on a late power play in the Washington Capitals’ 5-4 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is closing in on the NHL goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin has 876 goals and needs 19 to break the record.

Thursday night at Canadian Tire Centre provided yet another confidence boost for the Ottawa Senators. Facing the NHL’s top team, the Senators blew a 4-2 lead in the third period but kept their composure and defeated the Washington Capitals 5-4 in overtime.

Moscow, a cold December evening, the wind slicing through the Red Square like a sharpened blade. Inside the Kremlin, a file is slid across a dark mahogany desk.

OTTAWA -- Alex Ovechkin scored his 876th NHL goal and the Washington Capitals lost 5-4 in overtime to the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday.

The Washington Commanders’ improbable, unexpected run for the Super Bowl is over, but another local franchise has been busy putting together a magical season of its own.

Thomas Chabot scored at 1:46 of overtime and the Ottawa Senators beat the visiting Washington Capitals 5-4 on Thursday night after surrendering a two-goal third-period lead.

Quinn Hughes scored twice and the Vancouver Canucks beat NHL-leading Washington 2-1 on Saturday night, keeping Capitals star Alex Ovechkin 20 goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky's league record.

Marc-Andre Fleury made 19 saves for his first shutout of the season in likely his final game in Montreal, helping the Minnesota Wild beat the Canadiens 4-0 on Thursday night. The 40-year-old Fleury, from Sorel-Tracy about 50 miles northeast of Montreal,

"The Great Eight" came up clutch when the Washington Capitals needed him most with a third period tally to close the gap with the Ottawa Senators to 4-3. The goal is Ovechkin's 23rd of the season and his 876th all-time which leaves him just 19 away from breaking Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky's record for most ever (894).

Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery ... Two years later, Ovechkin is just 25 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time record, which has stood since 1999.