Oct 16, 2008 - 6:04 AM
0 shoutsMinnesota (2-0-0) at Florida (1-1-0) 7:30 p.m. EDT
SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- Antti Miettinen is adjusting to his new surroundings just fine.
The Finnish right wing and the Minnesota Wild will look to improve to 3-0-0 when they take on the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
After spending the previous three seasons with the Dallas Stars, Miettinen signed a multi-year contract with the Wild over the summer. The 28-year old has recorded three goals and an assist in his first two contests with Minnesota, including a pair of third-period tallies in a 4-2 triumph over the Atlanta Thrashers on Tuesday.
Miettinen recorded career highs of 15 goals and 19 assists last season with the Stars. An improvement in those numbers would go a long way in helping the Wild repeat as Northwest Division champions.
Florida is in search of its first win over Minnesota since the Wild's expansion season in 2000-01. Since a 2-1 victory in February 2001, the Panthers have not recorded a win in seven straight meetings with the Wild, including a 3-2 defeat last season.
David Booth scored a pair of goals Saturday against the Thrashers, including the game-winner 66 seconds into overtime. The third-year left wing has registered three goals and an assist in two games this season.
After allowing five goals on just 23 shots in a season-opening 6-4 loss to Carolina, Florida's Tomas Vokoun turned aside 31 shots in the home opener against Atlanta.
From the Bleachers
-
MINNESOTA: 6
FLORIDA: 2
Final
Oct 16 10:04 PM -
NHL
MINNESOTA 6
FLORIDA 2
3RD PRD: MIN - (PP) MIKKO KOIVU 1 (KIM JOHNSSON, ANDREW BRUNETTE)
16:00
Oct 16 9:58 PM -
NHL
MINNESOTA 5
FLORIDA 2
3RD PRD: MIN - (PP) ANTTI MIETTINEN 5 (MIKKO KOIVU, MARC-ANDRE
BERGERON) 6:21
Oct 16 9:43 PM -
MINNESOTA: 4
FLORIDA: 2
End of 2nd
Oct 16 9:11 PM -
NHL
MINNESOTA 4
FLORIDA 2
2ND PRD: MIN - BENOIT POULIOT 1 (MIKKO KOIVU) 15:58
Oct 16 9:05 PM -
NHL
MINNESOTA 3
FLORIDA 2
2ND PRD: FLA - KARLIS SKRASTINS 1 (CORY MURPHY, STEPHEN WEISS) 14:42
Oct 16 9:02 PM -
NHL
MINNESOTA 3
FLORIDA 1
2ND PRD: MIN - (PP) ANTTI MIETTINEN 4 (MIKKO KOIVU, TOMAS MOJZIS)
14:29
Oct 16 8:59 PM -
NHL
MINNESOTA 2
FLORIDA 1
2ND PRD: FLA - NICK BOYNTON 1 (KEITH BALLARD, NATHAN HORTON) 4:15
Oct 16 8:42 PM -
NHL
MINNESOTA 2
FLORIDA 0
2ND PRD: MIN - KIM JOHNSSON 1 (BENOIT POULIOT, DEREK BOOGAARD) 2:58
Oct 16 8:38 PM -
MINNESOTA: 1
FLORIDA: 0
End of 1st
Oct 16 8:15 PM -
NHL
MINNESOTA 1
FLORIDA 0
1ST PRD: MIN - ANDREW BRUNETTE 2 (MIKKO KOIVU, ANTTI MIETTINEN) 11:50
Oct 16 8:01 PM
