Ovechkin scores goal No. 892, trails Gretzky by 1

The “Gr8 Chase” is nearing its end.

With a first-period goal against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night, Alex Ovechkin now trails Wayne Gretzky by just one goal for the NHL record.

Two more goals would give Ovechkin sole possession of the record.

Ovechkin scored against the Blackhawks’ Spencer Knight 3:52 into the first period. He took a pass from Dylan Strome behind the net and banked the puck off the far post and Knight’s back and in.

The Russian’s most recent goal was his 40th of the season. He is now the second-oldest player in NHL history to notch a 40-goal season and extends his own record for most such seasons in a career. He has scored in four straight games.

Washington’s captain has now scored in four straight games for the Eastern Conference leaders. His 35th four-goal streak passes Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux for another NHL record.

An NHL entourage, including Gretzky, his wife Janet Jones and league commissioner Gary Bettman, was in the District on Friday to watch Ovechkin. They’ll continue following the Capitals until Ovechkin breaks the record.

The Capitals have six games remaining in the regular season. They’ll face the Islanders in New York on Sunday before returning to Capital One Arena to face the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.