For Alex Ovechkin, scoring the 890th goal of his career wasn't such a sweet moment; in fact, moving five goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record didn't matter much to the 39-year-old after an 8-5 loss at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres.

The Washington Capitals superstar continues to close in on Gretzky’s longstanding record of 894 career NHL goals.

Ovechkin is five goals from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record, but the captain’s team is in a funk that continued Sunday with an 8-5 loss to the scuffling Sabres.

Five charts how close the Capitals Alex Ovechkin is to overtaking Wayne Gretzky's career goal scoring title and how both dominated the NHL.

Ovechkin pulled the Capitals within 6-4 at 9:11 of the third period when he got position at the top of the crease and deflected Rasmus Sandin’s shot from the left point down between James Reimer’s pads. Ovechkin, who also had two assists, has 37 goals in 57 games for the Capitals.

It was not a good day otherwise as the Washington Capitals lost their third straight, 8-5 to the Buffalo Sabres.

Alex Ovechkin has scored career goal No. 890 for the Washington Capitals, putting him five away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL record of 894.

Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson each scored twice and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Washington Capitals 8-5 on Sunday.Ryan McLeod, Sam Lafferty, Jac

The Washington Capitals superstar continues to close in on Gretzky’s longstanding record of 894 career NHL goals.