Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is one of the most heralded players in NHL history. The legendary forward has already etched his name in history, but he's still chasing Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record.

Alex Ovechkin shook off a rough start to this three-game California swing by scoring his 887th career goal Saturday against the San Jose Sharks to move within eight of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record.

Alex Ovechkin scored his 887th career goal to move within eight of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record and the Washington Capitals beat the San Jose Sharks 5-1

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

NHL: Alexander Ovechkin is eight goals shy of tying Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record as the Washington Capitals face the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center

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.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin continues to get closer to breaking a historic record of goals scored. That record has not been broken in more than three decades. The current record holder of goals scored is Wayne Gretzky with 894.

In Washington's 5-1 win over the San Jose Sharks Saturday, Alex Ovechkin scored his 887th goal, moving within eight of breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL record, as the Capitals captain deflected a shot from Martin Fehervary with 9:06 left in the third period.