Niemi allowed three goals on 28 shots, but came away with a 6-3 win over Anaheim on Thursday. You wouldn't think a performance like that would be enough to beat the Ducks, but Anaheim started Ilya Bryzgalov in goal, which gave Niemi plenty of cushion to work with. Still, he could have finished with a much stronger line if not for giving back two goals with a 6-1 lead in the third period.

Niemi will start in the cage against the Ducks, Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times reports. Niemi was the expected started after being the first goalie off the ice in morning skate, and that is indeed the case. He should continue to see most of the starts in net for the Sharks in the second half of the season.

Niemi will get the start against the Ducks on Thursday, according to Curtis Pashelka of the Mercury News. Niemi is the go-to guy for the Sharks right now, who are fighting to stay in playoff contention. The goalie controversy that was supposed to exist with sophomore netminder Alex Stalock has been next to non-existent.

Niemi turned aside 26 of 28 shots in a 4-2 win over the Kings on Wednesday. This was a key division win for the Sharks, who put four points between themselves and the Kings with the victory. Niemi has been good of late, grabbing wins in three of his last four starts, and should continue to get his fair share of W's on a Sharks team that always seems to find a way into the postseason. Thus far, Niemi is 19-11-5 with a 2.57 GAA and .912 save percentage this year.

Niemi has been confirmed to start Wednesday's game against the Kings, CSN Bay Area's Kevin Kurz reports. No shocker here after backup Alex Stalock manned the crease in the Sharks' last game Monday against the Devils. Niemi has made two previous starts against the Kings in 2014-15, shutting them out in his season debut and allowing three goals on 29 shots in a Dec. 27 tilt.

Niemi was the first goalie off the ice at the Sharks' pre-game skate and is thus on track to start Wednesday's game against the Kings, David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News reports. Niemi -- who sports a 2.59 GAA and .911 save percentage in 34 games -- returns to the San Jose net for the team's final game before the NHL All-Star break after giving way to Alex Stalock in Monday's 5-2 loss to New Jersey.

Niemi stopped 19 of 23 shots in Saturday's overtime loss to the Flames. It wasn't the best outing for Niemi, who lost for the first time in three games. The 31-year-old is now 18-11-5 on the season with a .911 save percentage and 2.59 GAA. Considering he starts almost every game and is on track for almost 40 wins, Niemi is a dependable fantasy option in almost all formats.

Niemi will be between the pipes for Saturday's game against the Flames, CSN Bay Area's Kevin Kurz reports. After being chased from a start last week against the Blues upon allowing five goals on 21 shots, Niemi has responded with three consecutive outings in which he's compiled a save percentage above .930. Niemi's play has been somewhat up-and-down this season, but he's probably safe to roll with while he's hot for the moment.

Niemi put a stop to 24 of 25 shots in Thursday's win over the Maple Leafs. Niemi's been plagued by inconsistency this year, but he's turned in three very strong games in a row, having notched save marks of .931 or better in each. Unfortunately, he's also been a bit blowup-prone, and his two seasons of .920-plus save marks look more like exceptions than the rule.

Niemi will receive the start between the pipes Thursday against the Maple Leafs, David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News reports. Niemi looks to be a safe starting choice against the visiting Leafs, who lost for the fifth time in six January contests a night earlier against the Ducks. Meanwhile, Niemi ended a cold spell of his own by defeating the Coyotes his last time out Tuesday, stopping 27 of 29 shots in the 3-2 victory. The goalie carries a 2.59 GAA and .912 save percentage over 32 appearances into Thursday's tilt.