Alex Ovechkin scored his 888th career goal to continue his pursuit of the NHL record, and the Washington Capitals moved to the verge of clinching a playoff berth by beating the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Thursday night.

WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkin scored his 888th goal to move within seven goals of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record of 894, and the Washington Capitals defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 at Capital One Arena on Thursday.

Ovechkin scored in the Washington Capitals’ home game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night, beating Samuel Ersson with 5:35 left in the first period. The goal counter in the corner of the arena flipped to 888, and fans chanted “Ovi! Ovi!”