Alex Ovechkin scored his 878th career goal into an empty net with 0.1 seconds left on the clock to move closer to Wayne Gretzky's NHL record, and the Washington Capitals defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 6-3 on Tuesday night.

WASHINGTON – Alex Ovechkin scored his 878th NHL goal in the Washington Capitals 6-3 win against the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena on Tuesday. Ovechkin scored into an empty net with one second remaining to move within 17 goals of passing Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record of 894. Ovechkin has 25 goals on the season.

Lars Eller and Nic Dowd each scored a goal early in the third period and captain Alex Ovechkin added career goal No. 878, lifting the host Washington Capitals to a 6-3 victory over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.