Islanders coach Capuano to miss opener

The New York Islanders are playing their season opener without their coach.

Just minutes before the start of Saturday's game against the New Jersey Devils, the Islanders announced via their Twitter account that Jack Capuano would not be behind the bench due to medical reasons. Capuano was present at the pregame skate and addressed the media this morning.

Newsday's Arthur Staple reported via Twitter that Capuano has been suffering with kidney stones for the past few days.

Capuano, 46, is entering his second full season as Islanders coach. Assistants Doug Weight and Brent Thompson are running the team in Capuano’s absence.

Capuano has missed one other game since taking over; he skipped a game in Buffalo last February due to the flu.