The Ottawa Senators cruised to their fourth win in a row with a 5-2 victory over the slumping Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
Milan Michalek scored twice to help Ottawa jump out to a 4-0 lead in the second period and the Senators breezed to a win that helped tighten their grip on seventh spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Senators have won each of their last four games by at least three goals. Goaltender Craig Anderson finished with 33 saves for Ottawa (33-22-8), who lead eighth-placed Toronto by seven points.
Washington (29-26-5) remain out of the playoff picture in 10th after their third consecutive defeat.
John Carlson and Mathieu Perreault scored back-to-back goals to pull the Capitals within 4-2 midway through the third period, but Ottawa's Nick Foligno ended their hopes with a score in the final two minutes. (Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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