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Miettinen, Wild look to continue dominance of Panthers

Oct 16, 2008 - 10:04 AM Minnesota (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.