DALLAS — Mikko Koivu and Kari Lehtonen were born eight months apart in Finland and traveled the same gilded path in becoming NHL first-round picks.
The Wild selected Koivu No. 6 in 2001, Lehtonen went second overall the next year to the Atlanta Thrashers.
Koivu has spent his entire career in Minnesota, the last eight as captain. Lehtonen flashed brilliance during an injury-marred tenure in Atlanta before Dallas traded for him in 2010.
The first Stanley Cup playoff clash between the former Finnish national teammates saw the opening round go to Lehtonen, who shut out the Wild 4-0. Lehtonen’s measured performance against a feeble Minnesota attack earned him the Game 2 start Saturday night at American Airlines Center.
Koivu is thrilled to see his old friend healthy and thriving but would love nothing more than to bury him.
“When it’s the playoffs, you don’t think about (friendship), especially when it’s a goalie,” Koivu said with a wry smile. “You just want to beat him.”
Entering Game 2 Lehtonen had won seven of his last eight starts, with two shutouts. He has claimed the crease after Stars coach Lindy Ruff alternated Lehtonen and Antti Niemi during the regular season.
Dallas’ diverse and dynamic offense is their best defense, demanding competence more than anything from their goaltenders — who combined on a pedestrian .905 save percentage in 2015-16.
It has been an arduous journey for Lehtonen, 32.
At the time of his draft he was the highest-drafted Finn and European player in NHL history and the most celebrated goaltending prospect from a country that has monopolized the position.
At 6-4, 205 pounds Lehtonen clogs shooting lanes and his athleticism helps him cover wide swaths of ice. Debilitating groin injuries almost derailed his career but Lehtonen is flourishing in just his third postseason appearance.
“Now he’s been healthy the last couple of years, which is good to see,” Koivu said. “You never want to see good talent having injuries or missing games because of that. I know he can be very good. He’s been solid now that he’s healthy.”
