Ovechkin gets closer to Gretzky with goal No 891

BOSTON — Alex Ovechkin is a hat-trick away.

The Washington Capitals forward scored goal No 891 of his career on Tuesday night, leaving him three away from tying Wayne Gretzky's NHL record, and four from becoming the league's all-time leading goalscorer.

Only a missed empty-netter in the final minutes of the Capitals' 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins kept Ovechkin from getting even closer.