Ovechkin scores to close in on Gretzky record as Capitals clinch playoff spot

Capitals first to clinch a playoff spot after being last to get in last year

WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals became the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot this season, doing so after winning in their 69th game and getting the help they needed elsewhere around the league.

Alexander Owetschkin separates only six goals from the equalization of the record of legend Wayne Gretzky. The 39-year-old Russian scored his 888th goal in his 3-2 victory of his Washington Capitals against the Philadelphia Flyers. Gretzky stands at 894 goals. Caps in first placeWith the win, the Caps remain in first place in the east. In the hit between the leader in the west, the Winnipeg Jets, and the Edmonton Oilers, the Jets won 4:3 in the …

Ovechkin scores to close in on Gretzky record as Capitals clinch playoff spot

Alex Ovechkin scored his 888th career goal on Thursday, moving within seven goals of breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL record of 894, in the Capitals' 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Great 8 Alex Ovechkin scores 888th goal as Capitals beat Flyers

By The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin scored his 888th career goal to continue his pursuit of the NHL record, and the Washington Capitals moved to the verge of clinching a playoff berth by beating the Flyers 3-2 on Thursday night. Ovechkin beat Samuel Ersson with 5:35 left in the first period to move eight goals back of passing Wayne Gretzky’s career mark of 894. Chants of “Ovi! Ovi!” filled the arena as the goal counter in one corn…

Ovechkin scores his 888th career NHL goal as the Capitals beat the Flyers and clinch a playoff spot

Alex Ovechkin scored his 888th career goal to continue his pursuit of the NHL record, and the Washington Capitals clinched a playoff berth by beating the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 and getting some help elsewhere. Ovechkin beat Samuel Ersson with 5:35…

Alex Ovechkin scores his 888th career NHL goal as Capitals beat the Flyers 3-2

Ovechkin beat Samuel Ersson with 5:35 left in the first period to move seven goals back of passing Wayne Gretzky’s career mark of 894.