Alex Ovechkin scored his 892nd career goal, moving him three away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record, but rookie Jackson Blake scored twice to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 5-1 on Wednesday night and clinch a playoff spot.

The Carolina Hurricanes clinched a seventh consecutive playoff berth Wednesday night at Lenovo Center, and they made a statement doing it.

Alex Ovechkin needs four goals to break Wayne Gretzky's record. What to know about Capitals vs. Hurricanes game today:

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

Alex Ovechkin scored his 39th goal of the season when he lit the lamp on a Powerplay in the second period of the Washington Capitals' 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. With his goal on Wednesday,

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored his 892nd career goal Wednesday and is now three tally shy of breaking Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky’s 31-year NHL record.

Breaking down the third-period penalties, fisticuffs that overshadowed the Caps’ Alex Ovechkin scoring career goal No. 892 as he chases Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894.

Alex Ovechkin scored his 892nd career goal on Wednesday, moving him three away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record.

Alex Ovechkin is about to break Wayne Gretzky’s record for the most NHL goals — here’s how to watch every Capitals game when that might happen