Niemi played a strong game against the Wild on Saturday. He made 23 saves in a 2-1 OT loss.

EDGE Analysis

He made some awesome saves and earned the game's second star for his efforts. But it wasn't enough and Niemi and the Stars got saddled with the loss. He did keep his team in the game in what was a super-slow third for him. Niemi faced just four shots in the third, but three of them were tough and in tight. He's 1-3-1 in five starts since Christmas and will need to continue to stand on his head to get his mates out of this funk.

Niemi led the Stars onto the ice for warmups and is expected to start in goal against Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Kari Lehtonen got the nod Thursday after Niemi was blown up for six goals on 29 shots against the Rangers his last time out. Niemi had given up more than three goals just three times in his first 27 appearances of the season. He held the Wild to one goal on 31 shots back on Dec. 21.

Niemi gave up six goals on 29 shots in Tuesday's loss to the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

The Stars had a tough trip out to the New York metro area, as Niemi took losses to the Rangers and Devils, with Kari Lehtonen suffering a six-goal loss of his own to the Isles in between. Niemi has, in fact, taken the loss in four of his last five appearances -- quite the tough run for a guy who went 15-5-2 in his first 23 games. With neither netminder playing terrifically well of late, they're likely to continue alternating starts until one or the other heats up again. The good news is that the Stars are heading back to Dallas for their next two games.

Niemi will be between the pipes against the Rangers on Tuesday, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi has been solid in net recently, facing 64 shots and stopping 60, in his last two contests. Overall on the year, the 32-year-old has posted a .918 save percentage, registering 16 wins in 27 outings. The Rangers are scoring 2.85 GAA and will be a strong test for the netminder.

Niemi made 27 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss to New Jersey on Saturday night.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi and Kari Lehtonen remain in a 60/40 platoon split, but he has still managed a 16-7-3 record. And those wins put Niemi in the top-10 in the NHL. He's allowed just two or fewer goals in five of his last seven starts.

Niemi will look to protect the net as Saturday's road starter against the Devils, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi has a record of 4-1-0 against the Devils, and that's backed by a 1.75 GAA and .931 save percentage. However, this is his first time seeing New Jersey as a member of the Stars. Nemo's road GAA is 2.48, compared to 2.05 at home.

Niemi turned away 33 of 34 shots in Thursday's win over Nashville.

EDGE Analysis

A huge performance from the Finnish netminder, who was named second star of the game. The 32-year-old has been playing very well of late, allowing just eight goals in his last six outings. The 32-year-old advances to 16-6-3 on the season with a .919 save percentage. The Stars sit atop the Western Conference standings and Niemi is rolling, so get him in your lineup every game.

Niemi is the apparent starter Thursday night against the Predators, as he was the first netminder off the ice in the morning skate.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi has been spectacular in December, with a 5-2-3 record, 1.82 GAA and .931 save percentage in seven starts and 10 total appearances. The Stars have split the goaltending work quite evenly between Niemi and Kari Lehtonen. Nemo has made 21 starts to 17 for Lehtonen, though the latter missed time with an upper-body injury in late November.

Niemi relieved Kari Lehtonen in Tuesday night's game against the Blue Jackets, but was strapped with the loss after allowing two goals on 18 shots.

EDGE Analysis

It was a night to forget for the Dallas netminders. In the third period, Niemi skated far away from the net to clear the puck but it was intercepted by Scott Hartnell who promptly buried the puck between the pipes. Niemi's record now stands at 15-6-3.

Niemi stopped 35 of 37 shots in Saturday's shootout loss to the Blues.

EDGE Analysis

A very strong performance in regulation from Niemi, who was then beaten four times on nine shots in the shootout. The 32-year-old drops to 15-5-3 on the season with a .917 save percentage and 2.28 GAA. This was just his first loss in four starts and he was absolutely phenomenal in it, so keep playing him with confidence, as Niemi sits sixth in the NHL in wins this season.