WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin is now five goals away 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 himself 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.

The 39-year-old remains on pace to pass Gretzky’s mark of 894 this spring, a record that long 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.

But Ovechkin’s efforts weren’t enough to save the Capitals on Sunday. Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson each scored two goals as the Sabres won for only the 31st time this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.