Niemi (illness) isn't likely to receive the start in goal Wednesday against the Avalanche. Niemi is still feeling the effects of the illness he acquired over the weekend, and with the Sharks seemingly out of contention for a playoff spot, the team won't benefit by running him out there in the net at less than 100 percent. Look for Alex Stalock to pick up a third consecutive start.

Niemi will not start Sunday's game, though he did take part in morning skate, Kevin Kurz of CSN reports. Niemi is still battling an illness, so Alex Stalock will make his second straight start in goal. Niemi has been solid for most of the season - 2.62 GAA, 91.4 save percentage - but he's allowed four goals in each of his last two outings.

Niemi was beaten four times on 34 shots Thursday, but he still came away with a 6-4 victory over the Red Wings. That's consecutive four-goal outings for Niemi, but this time he was bailed out by a strong offensive showing on the part of his teammates. Despite the win, it's not very good to see him repeatedly let Detroit back into this game -- just the latest instance of the inconsistent results that have been frustrating Niemi's fantasy owners all year long.

Niemi will be between the pipes for Thursday's game against the Red Wings, David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News reports. The Sharks' two-game losing streak has dropped them 10 points off the pace for the final wild-card spot out West, so until the team is officially eliminated from playoff contention, expect Niemi to be used with a heavy hand. Though he remains the Sharks' unquestioned No. 1 starter, Niemi's up-and-down tendencies this season have rankled fantasy owners. After back-to-back solid turns against the Maple Leafs and Habs, Niemi regressed his last time out, surrendering four goals on 36 shots in a loss to the Senators on Monday.

Niemi allowed four goals on 36 shots in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Senators. That's now the fourth loss in five starts for Niemi, and this was one that got away from him as the Senators piled on four third-period goals (one on an empty net). The 31-year-old has failed to find any sort of consistency lately, but he could still be worth rolling out against weaker opponents.

Niemi is slated to start Monday's game against the Senators, David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News reports. Niemi, who has allowed just one goal in each of his last two turns, will take aim Monday at an Ottawa squad that is in the midst of an impressive a 14-1-1 run since Feb. 18th.

Niemi allowed just one goal on 28 shots Saturday, but took the 2-0 loss to Montreal. It was a goalie's game and Niemi was outdueled by Carey Price. Not that he was nearly as good as Mr. Price, but he was certainly solid enough. Trouble is, the Sharks's playoff hopes are all but sunk after the loss, so the team may actually roll Alex Stalock instead of Niemi, just to see what the kid can do. Watch this carefully -- it could have a huge impact on your head-to-head playoff success.

Niemi will be in the crease for Saturday's game against the Canadiens, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports. Niemi put a stop to a two-game losing skid with a 27-save effort in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs, but he'll need more than a solid effort against one of the league's worst teams to convince fantasy owners he's worth rolling out against elite competition. With the leading contender for the Vezina Trophy in the net Saturday for a playoff-bound Canadiens squad, it's hard to imagine Niemi stealing a win at the Bell Centre. For that reason, Niemi should probably be avoided in daily formats.

Niemi turned aside 27 of 28 shots Thursday in a 4-1 victory over Toronto. The league's been beating up on the Leafs for a while now, but that doesn't take anything away from Niemi and the Sharks, as Toronto's actually played better-than-.500 hockey at home. With the victory, the Finnish netminder snaps a painful two-game skid in which he allowed eight goals on just 37 shots.

Niemi has been confirmed as the starter in goal for Thursday's game against the Maple Leafs, Mark Masters of TSN reports. Niemi has posted strong results in his previous four career games against the Maple Leafs, going 3-1-0 with a 2.01 GAA and .925 save percentage. The Leafs will counter with Jonathan Bernier in their net.