Niemi came up victorious Thursday night, stopping 25 of 26 shots on the road against the Penguins.

EDGE Analysis

The Stars are the hottest team in the Western Conference, extending its winning streak to five games thanks in large part to Nemo's fine puck work Thursday. He now owns a sturdy .940 save percentage and fellow netminder Kari Lehtonen is undefeated after three appearances. Not enough can be said about team's skaters either, as they've collectively put up 25 goals in just seven games.

Niemi will start for Dallas on Thursday when they face the Penguins, reports the Dallas Morning News' Mike Heika.

EDGE Analysis

It's been a true split in Dallas, with Niemi grabbing three of the team's six games so far. It's not clear if the Stars will keep the split going if one of the two netminders starts to stand out. Until then, Niemi is playing well, but there aren't consistent starts to be had from him.

Niemi allowed just a single goal on 35 shots in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

He actually carried a shutout nearly halfway into the third period before Sean Couturier became the first and only Flyer to break through. After Kari Lehtonen started and won three consecutive games following Niemi's six-goal disaster in Colorado on Oct. 10, it's surprising that the Stars came back to Niemi so soon instead of riding his fellow Finn's hot streak. Even though the long-time Shark acquitted himself quite well in this one, it remains uncertain whether it'll be him or Lehtonen between the pipes Thursday in Pittsburgh.

Niemi will get the start in net Tuesday against the Flyers, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi was terrible in his last outing, allowing six goals on 28 shots en route to a 6-3 loss to Colorado. Niemi does, however, have a favorable matchup Tuesday against the Flyers, as Philadelphia has only managed to score a total of seven goals in the first four games of the season.

Niemi stopped just 22 shots in Saturday's 6-3 loss to Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi earned his second straight start after shutting out the Pens in his previous game, but laid an absolute stinker against the Avs in a come-from-behind loss. He allowed five straight goals in the second half of the game, including four over straight 15 minutes of play. The Stars are going with a timeshare in net so it's almost an certainty that Kari Lehtonen will start the next game. It would be wise for fantasy owners to own both goalies, given their inconsistency and Dallas' strategy to go with the hotter hand.

Niemi will get the start in net Saturday against the Avalanche, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's hardly a surprise, as Niemi was phenomenal in the Stars' season opener Thursday against the Penguins, registering a 37-save shutout en route to a 3-0 victory. The 32-year-old netminder also added two assists in the contest for good measure. If he's able to continue to perform at a high level, Niemi could very well establish himself as Dallas' No. 1 goaltender going forward.

Niemi was unstoppable in his Stars debut, registering a 37-save shutout Thursday against the Penguins.

EDGE Analysis

Not only did Niemi record a shut out, he also assisted on Dallas' first two goals. He was brought in to add depth at goalie alongside Kari Lehtonen this offseason, but perhaps he has more left in the tank than expected. It's one thing to come out on fire opening night, but to do it against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins is a great sign for the Stars. Lehtonen struggled last season, so if Niemi remains consistent, he'll certainly be the more valuable fantasy option.

Niemi was the first one to leave the ice in Thursday's morning skate, suggesting that he's the expected starting goalie in the evening contest against the Penguins, NHL.com's Mark Stepneski reports.

EDGE Analysis

Entering training camp, Niemi and Kari Lehtonen appeared to be deadlocked in a battle for the No. 1 job job turning away pucks for the Stars, but Niemi enjoyed the better preseason of the two netminders. While neither player performed particularly well in exhibition, Niemi turned up a 3.00 GAA in three games compared to an ugly 4.57 GAA for Lehtonen through four contests.

Niemi stopped 17 of 18 shots through two periods in Saturday's preseason loss to Chicago.

EDGE Analysis

After the game, coach Lindy Ruff said the plan was to split the game and that there was no injury to Niemi. It was the best start Niemi had in the preseason, and the only time he posted a save percentage over .900.

Niemi allowed four goals on 28 shots in Tuesday's loss to the Blues.

EDGE Analysis

Until things settle into a rhythm in the Dallas net, every game is a battle for more ice time between Niemi and Kari Lehtonen. The team has said that they expect about a 50/50 split, but if one of them can get a streak going, the team won't turn from a hot goaltender. It's tough to fully trust either netminder to start the season.