NEW YORK — The odds were against Scott Gordon all along.
Once the New York Islanders dropped 10 games in a row in the final year of his contract, it was hardly a surprise that he was fired Monday in his third year as coach.
A three-game sweep on a California trip left the team on an 0-9-1 skid, sealing his fate. Gordon was replaced by Jack Capuano, the coach of the Islanders’ AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Capuano will make his NHL coaching debut Wednesday at home against Tampa Bay.
“It’s not the ideal situation,” Capuano said after running practice Monday. “I have great respect for Scott. We’ve been friends for a long time and I’ve learned a great deal for him. But there was a change, and I’ll make the best of my opportunity.”
The Islanders were already operating with a roster that lacked superior talent and depth when key forward Kyle Okposo and top defenseman Mark Streit were injured during the preseason and lost for months.
After a 4-2-1 start, the Islanders plummeted to the bottom of the NHL standings. New York (4-10-3) is tied with Edmonton for the fewest points (11).
“When we’re in a situation we’re in right now — we’ve lost 10 games in a row — sometimes you have to go with your gut and make decisions that are tough,” Islanders general manager Garth Snow said during a conference call.
Lecavalier out.
Tampa Bay captain Vincent Lecavalier is expected to be sidelined four to five weeks after having surgery on his broken right hand.
The Associated Press
