With that goal, Ovechkin is now just 10 away from tying Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky for most all-time (894). It was his 31st goal of the season in a 3-1 loss, Washington's third straight, but with 22 games remaining in the regular season, it's a brighter spot than most think.

The Capitals lost their third game in a row for the first time all season despite Ovechkin scoring his 884th career goal.

Twice, Lemieux scored more goals in a season than games played. Bossy, much like Ovechkin, was a pure goal-scorer. Not explosive like Lemieux, but absolutely gifted as a shooter. His career, unfortunately, was shortened due to severe back troubles. He played only 752 games, a number similar to that of Lemieux’s first pre-retirement games.

Alex Ovechkin scored the 884th goal of his NHL career late in the Washington Capitals’ 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, moving within 10 of tying Wayne Gretzky’s record.

Ovechkin beat fellow Russian Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning with four minutes left in the third period after getting stopped twice by him earlier. Recommended Videos “He’s the ...

The Washington Capitals captain beat fellow Russian Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning with four minutes left in the third period on Saturday. Recommended Videos Ovechkin’s 31st goal ...