Niemi will be the home starter versus the Panthers on Tuesday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi reportedly will be countered by 39-year-old netminder Roberto Luongo in this divisional game against a Panthers club that ranks 11th in the league in scoring at 3.09 goals per game. Carey Price was in goal for an overtime win over the Bruins on Monday, so that's the main reason why coach Claude Julien will ice the backup this time around.

Niemi allowed a pair of goals on 32 shots in Tuesday's 3-2 win over Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

An encouraging performance from Niemi gives the Finnish netminder three wins in his last four starts. He isn't likely to get too many opportunities moving forward, with Carey Price back healthy, but Niemi will need to be sharp whenever he's called upon, as the Canadiens continue their playoff push and need every win they can get. Tuesday's win moves Niemi's record to 7-4-1 with a 3.85 GAA and .886 save percentage.

Niemi will guard the cage in Tuesday's road game against the Red Wings, Arpon Basu of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi was sharp in his last start Dec. 31 against the Stars, stopping 45 of 47 shots en route to a 3-2 win. The veteran netminder will look to stay dialed in and secure his seventh victory of the season in a road matchup with a Detroit team that's only averaging 2.83 goals per game at home this campaign, 26th in the NHL.

Niemi amassed 45 saves in Monday's 3-2 overtime road win over the Stars.

EDGE Analysis

Coming into this game, 38 saves were the most Niemi had seen this season. He was absolutely brilliant in the comeback win and even worked around a Jamie Benn power-play goal for Dallas' second tally in about a seven-minute span. Niemi has plenty of experience operating as a No. 1 goalie, but he'll relinquish the prime role as soon as Carey Price is ready to return from his lower-body injury.

Niemi will be in goal on the road versus Dallas on Monday, Chantal Machabee of RDS reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi will make his third straight start due to the absence of Carey Price (lower body). The Finnish netminder got rocked by the Lightning his last time out to the tune of six goals allowed on 32 shots. Look for the 35-year-old to continue to carry the load for the foreseeable future.

Niemi made 26 saves in a 6-5 loss to the Lightning on Saturday night.

EDGE Analysis

Avoid. Avoid. Avoid. Niemi isn't going to help you in Carey Price's absence. He struggles to stop pucks and may not be the answer for the Habs if Price is out for long.

Niemi will be the road starter versus the Lightning on Saturday, per the NHL.com roster report.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi will complete the back-to-back set after getting the best of the Panthers with a 23-save outing in Sunrise, Florida on Friday. Montreal evidently would rather take the chance on a potentially weary Niemi than ice 21-year-old Michael McNiven for his NHL debut, which makes a lot of sense considering the next opponent is a Lightning squad with the league's best offense at 4.13 goals per game.

Niemi allowed three goals on 26 shots in a 5-3 victory against the Panthers on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

While he's won more than half of the games he's started, Niemi's numbers are subpar. In the last five contests, he owns an .865 save percentage and a 4.77 GAA. His overall numbers aren't much better -- .877 save percentage and 4.01 GAA. Even with a 5-3-1 record, owners can't take on those horrific numbers in the other categories. He's only posted a save percentage above .900 twice in nine games.

Niemi, who is starting Friday's road game against the Panthers, is expected to start road games Saturday against the Lightning and Monday against the Stars, Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette reports. Carey Price (lower body) landed on injured reserve and didn't make the trip for Montreal's three-game road trip.

EDGE Analysis

We'll need to wait for team confirmation before assuming Niemi will start beyond Friday's game. Coach Claude Julien refused to commit to having him make back-to-back starts. "We'll see how he does tonight. I never like to commit myself," said the coach. It would be surprising if Niemi didn't get all three road starts. Michael McNiven, the backup recalled from AHL Laval to replace Price, was in the ECHL earlier this season and has zero NHL experience.

Niemi will start Friday's game against Florida, Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi will be making his first start since a Dec. 11 loss to the Wild and hasn't won since Nov. 10. He could be in line for multiple starts over the weekend as Carey Price (lower body) did not join the Canadiens for their three-game road trip. After Friday, Montreal plays in Tampa Bay on Saturday night, then in Dallas on Monday night.