Eliminated Rangers rout Caps for 2nd straight win over playoff contender

(Photo credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images)

Will Cuylle scored twice in a span of 2:40 during a five-goal second period on the way to his first career hat trick and the host New York Rangers prevented the Washington Capitals from gaining ground in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race with an 8-1 rout on Sunday night.

Washington (39-30-9, 87 points) fell three points behind the Ottawa Senators for the secon