RALEIGH, N.C. -- Alex Ovechkin moved three goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL record after scoring the 892nd of his career in the Washington Capitals' 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night.

Ovechkin beat Frederik Andersen on a 5-on-3 power-play with 34.5 seconds left in the second period. He entered with nine goals in 12 career games against Andersen, 52 overall in the 91 games he has faced Carolina and 31 in 45 games in Raleigh, which is the most of any visiting player.

The 39-year-old Russian has 39 goals this season, tied for the second most in a single season (Gordie Howe, 1967-68) in NHL history among players age 39 or older. Howe's 44 in 1968-69 are the most.

Ovechkin is one way from reaching 40 for a 14th time -- also the most in league history -- despite missing 16 games because of a broken left fibula.

He scored goal No. 891 a night earlier in Boston. It marked the 60th time in his regular-season career that he's scored in back-to-back games, the fifth player in league history to achieve that feat.

The Eastern Conference-leading Capitals have seven more games left this season. Ovechkin is on pace to pass Gretzky's mark of 894 that long seemed unapproachable before the playoffs begin.

Because it is only a regular-season record, Ovechkin's pursuit would continue in October if he does not score two or more the rest of the way this month.

Information from ESPN Research and The Associated Press was used in this report.