WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkin is five goals from breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL record after scoring the 890th of his career in the Washington Capitals' 8-5 loss Sunday to the Buffalo Sabres.

Ovechkin, Washington's captain who has sparked a renaissance season that has the Capitals in the first place in the Eastern Conference, got to the front of the net and deflected Rasmus Sandin's shot past James Reimer to pull the Capitals to within two at 9:11 of the third period.

He wasn't in the best of spirits, however, after the game. As comfortable as their 11-point lead is in the Metropolitan Division, the Capitals have lost three in a row as the postseason nears.

"Right now," Ovechkin told reporters, after being asked about No. 890, "we lost three in a row. It's a good thing it happens right now and not in the playoffs, but we just have to bounce back and find a way to win the games."

Washington coach Spencer Carbery was also not overflowing with reaction after the loss.

"We got what we deserved tonight," he said. "That's not who we are."

Ovechkin, 39, remains on pace to pass Gretzky's mark of 894 this spring, a record that seemed unapproachable. He has 37 goals this season and is on track to reach 40 for a 14th time, also the most in league history, despite sitting out 16 games because of a broken left fibula.

"Again, it's an insane number," Washington forward Aliaksei Protas said. "I don't think I'd ever get that, even in NHL 25 [the video game] ... he's chasing something special."

But, in the end, the day belonged to the Sabres. Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson each scored two goals as Buffalo won for just the 31st time this season.

"We were fighting to stay in that game, I didn't like any of our top-six again tonight," Carbery said. "It just hasn't looked great. Their underlying numbers haven't been great the last two games from our top-six."

Ovechkin continues his pursuit of Gretzky on Tuesday when the Capitals visit the Boston Bruins.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.