Vote of confidence is understated but uplifting for Miettinen

The points are starting to come for Antti Miettinen, who has earned a reputation for reliability in his first year with the Wild.

By BRIAN STENSAAS, Star Tribune

Last update: February 13, 2009 - 11:56 PM

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It's merely a term of endearment. But when it comes from Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough, Minnesota forward Antti Miettinen can rest easy knowing he has the man in control on his side.

"I like Antti," Risebrough said Friday as he took in Wild practice at Parade Ice Garden in Minneapolis.

After the season -- and particularly the week -- Miettinen has had, it's hard to question Risebrough.

With two assists in Thursday's 4-2 loss at Detroit, Miettinen has his fourth three-game points streak of the season heading into tonight's home game against Ottawa. Miettinen's career high is a five-game streak set two seasons ago in Dallas.

Miettinen, 28, signed a three-year, $7 million contract with the Wild last summer.

"I'm just trying to play well," Miettinen said. "We need to play well."

With 28 regular-season games remaining, Miettinen's 37 points are already a career high, as are his 25 assists.

He also has tied a career best with three game-winning goals and Sunday against Edmonton scored his first career shorthanded goal.

Risebrough called Miettinen's game "zero maintenance," meaning he does his own thing, without any worry as to whether he will pick up a play.

"For us, we're glad we got him," Risebrough said. "He's helped us in a lot of different situations."

About the only hiccup on Miettinen's résumé since signing here was his collision with coach Jacques Lemaire during practice on Tuesday. Lemaire had to get X-rays on his shoulder after the incident; Miettinen made up for his knockout by scoring the game-winning goal a night later against Colorado.

With a smile, Lemaire said he has forgiven Miettinen for the crash. The way he has been playing lately, why not?

"When a coach says that he's confident at any time to put a player on the ice, he's that kind of guy," Lemaire said. "It's not that he has extreme offense, but he's a guy that will get us points because he works, he has some skills, he's above average with the puck and he plays. The thing, too, is he has the opportunity to play a lot."

Lately, Miettinen has played again on the Wild's top line with Mikko Koivu and Andrew Brunette. It's a combination that worked early for the Wild; the three started the year off hot by scoring a combined 21 points in the first three games of the season.

With that line back together, the three have combined for 13 points in the past five games.

"We're just trying to play to our strengths and play well for the team," Miettinen said. "I've felt good [since] the summer when I signed here. It was a painless transition for me."

An example of how well Miettinen has fit in with teammates is the game-winning play against the Avalanche.

Brunette was pinned to the boards behind the Colorado goal yet found a way to feed the puck to Miettinen, who was in the perfect position just outside the goal crease in front of Andrew Raycroft. Miettinen got just enough on his snap shot to send the puck fluttering into the back of the net with 71 seconds remaining in regulation, breaking a 2-2 tie.

"He's a heady player," Brunette said. "He plays a very smart game on both ends of the ice. When you're playing with him, you know he's going to cover you up thinking on both ends. He's very easy to play with."

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