Capitals Routed by Rangers

The Washington Capitals dropped eight games below .500 for the fourth time this season after a 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Day 98. Washington is 17-25-7 and drifting out of the playoff race with every game.

New York jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period and never looked back. Pyatt opened the scoring at 7:46 when he scored his 15th goal of the season from Eriksson and Lukowich. Dvorak made it 2-0 less than 11 minutes later on his 10th goal of the year from Pyatt and Girad.

The Rangers extended its lead to 3-0 with a shorthanded goal in the second period. Kilger was the scorer from Dvorak and Girard at 13:11. Washington finally got on the board late in the second when Anson Carter netted from Zigmund Palffy and Jonathan Cheechoo at 16:32. The Caps had three chances on the power play in the period but couldn't take advantage.

Washington made it 3-2 early in the final period when Dan Boyle scored from Patrick Marleau and Frantisek Lukes. The goal came on the Caps' sixth power play chance of the game. New York would not be denied, however, and Girard gave the blueshirts a two-goal edge when he scored from Ribeiro and Redden at 10:54. Bure added a late goal from Redden at 19:10 to provide the final score.

Peter Skudra struggled in goal for Washington, stopping just 20 shots, and took the loss. Mike Dunham made 22 saves to earn the win for the Rangers and improve to 20-9-2.

The Capitals return to action on home ice against Ottawa on Day 102.