VANCOUVER — Two teams chasing the Islanders in the Metropolitan Division improved their rosters via trades on Friday, perhaps turning up the pressure on president and general manager Lou Lamoriello to keep pace, particularly with the Blue Jackets bringing in gifted playmaker Matt Duchene.
The NHL trade deadline is Monday at 3 p.m. and the Islanders, who did not practice on Friday, play their last game before then when they conclude a three-game Western Canada trip against the Canucks on Saturday night at Rogers Arena.
The Islanders (35-18-7) badly need a win after being outskated in a 4-2 loss at Calgary on Wednesday and still playing too much of the game in their defensive zone in Thursday night’s 4-3 overtime loss at Edmonton.