 On November 15, 2010, Capuano was named interim head coach of the Islanders after head coach Scott Gordon was fired from that position by GM Garth Snow amidst a 10-game losing streak by the team.The Islanders retained Capuano as the full-time coach for the 2011–12 season.Capuano led the Islanders to a playoff spot in 2013, their first appearance in six years.