We're tracking Ovechkin's pursuit of Gretzky's goal record and trying to determine the game in which he's most likely to break the record.

Alex Ovechkin had only recorded one goal in his last five games played until Thursday night. "The Great Eight" came up clutch when the Washington Capitals needed him most with a third period tally to close the gap with the Ottawa Senators to 4-3.

OTTAWA -- Alex Ovechkin scored his 876th NHL goal and the Washington Capitals lost 5-4 in overtime to the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday.

Rather than ice a roster merely helping Ovi break Gretzky's record, the Caps have been one of the NHL's best. Here's how they threaded the needle.