Niemi stopped 17 of 24 shots and was pulled midway through the third period of Tuesday's 7-1 loss to the Wild.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi was making his first start since Nov. 23, so there might have been an element of rust, but losses like this are rarely the fault of the goalie and this was no different. The team wasn't prepared for the final game of its three-game road trip, and it showed in the number of scoring chances the skaters allowed. "It could have been way worse than 1-0 after the first period," Shea Weber told Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette. "(Niemi) kept it tight. We were giving up Grade A chances, it's not like we were giving up shots from the outside. The shots we were giving up were right in the slot, breakaways, chances that aren't okay." The Wild scored on all four of their power plays and added a shortie, just because they could.

Niemi will defend the net Tuesday against the Wild in Minneapolis, Chantal Machabee of RDS reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi has waited his turn patiently in the crease, making his last start Nov. 23 against the Sabres, and that wait will come to an end after seven straight games working as the backup. Niemi has posted a 4-2-1 record over seven appearances this season, though his road ratios -- 3.89 GAA and .893 save percentage -- don't inspire confidence that he will shut down a Minnesota club averaging 3.50 goals per game at home this season.

Coach Claude Julien said he's considering Niemi to start Tuesday against Minnesota, Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi hasn't been between the pipes since Nov. 23, as Carey Price has started seven straight games. A random start would be good to prevent Niemi from getting rusty, though the coach must balance that with Price, who has a 2.33 GAA and .919 save percentage in his seven starts, being in a groove.

Niemi will patrol the crease in Friday's road game against the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi has struggled in limited action this season, compiling a 4-2-0 record while posting an ugly 3.74 GAA and .887 save percentage through six appearances. The Finnish backstop will look to start righting the ship in a tough road matchup with a red-hot Sabres team that's won seven consecutive games.

Niemi stopped 37 of 43 shots in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to Edmonton.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi was better than the final score indicated and gave Montreal a chance with some superb saves over the first two periods. The Canadiens were down by a goal entering the third before the Oilers' barrage of pressure wilted Niemi. He made his second consecutive start as the Canadiens hope an extended break will cure Carey Price of whatever mental issues he's experiencing. Montreal resumes play Thursday night in Calgary, where we believe Price will be back between the pipes.

Niemi will start in goal Tuesday night against host Edmonton, Ryan Rishaug of TSN.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi is 12-3-3 with a 2.63 GAA and .905 save percentage over 20 career appearances opposing the Oilers. The 35-year-old Finnish goalie -- who went undrafted -- is in the hunt for his third straight win after defeating the Islanders and Golden Knights in his last two trips between the posts.

Niemi will start between the pipes in Saturday's home game against the Golden Knights, John Lu of TSN.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi hasn't been great in limited action this season, registering a sub-par 3.13 GAA and .893 save percentage through four appearances, but he's compiled a 3-1-0 record over that span due to fantastic goal support from his teammates. The Finnish netminder will look to pick up a second straight win in a home matchup with a Vegas team that's 3-6-0 on the road this campaign.

Niemi will tend the twine for Monday's road clash with the Islanders, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi will be making just his fourth start of the season and first since Oct. 25 versus Buffalo. The Finn has put together a decent start to the year with a 2-1-0 record and .898 save percentage, but ultimately will find himself on the bench more often than not in favor of all-star netminder Carey Price.

Niemi stopped 38 of 42 shots Thursday in a 4-3 road loss to the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

Buffalo scored the game-winning goal on a power play late in the third period and in the process spoiled a very solid performance from Niemi. The loss is the Finnish netminder's first of the season, in three starts, and he'll likely move back to the bench Saturday when Montreal takes on Boston.

Niemi will start between the pipes in Thursday's road game against the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi has been solid in limited action, picking up wins over the Penguins and Red Wings in his only two appearances of the season. The veteran netminder will look to stay unbeaten in a road matchup with a Sabres team that's only averaging 2.00 goals per game at home this campaign, 29th in the NHL.