Niemi led the Sharks on to the ice for pregame warmups, and will start in goal Wednesday against the Ducks, Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times reports. Niemi has los back-to-back contests, but the Sharks had been riding a seven-game win streak behind him prior to that. He owns a .920 save percentage in the month of December.

Niemi made 26 saves, but fell by a 3-1 count to the Kings on Saturday night. Though he entered Saturday's contest a winner in seven of his last eight starts, Niemi hadn't been playing especially well, instead benefiting from a red-hot offense. With the Los Angeles defense neutralizing the San Jose attack for much of the game, Niemi wasn't able to hold serve, squandering an early 1-0 lead in the process. The Sharks will be back in action Tuesday against the Canucks, but with a game the following night in Anaheim, Niemi figures to receive a break for one of the contests.

Niemi was the first goalie off the ice at morning skate and is projected to start Saturday versus the Kings, David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News reports. Niemi ended up taking an overtime loss to the Ducks in his last start Monday, but he'll be forgiven for the loss after opening December with a 6-0 record. The netminder hasn't been consistently sharp in those outings, but has ridden the coattails of a red-hot offense to the victory column nonetheless. That trend could continue against the Kings, who have received shoddy play from Saturday's starter, Jonathan Quick, in goal recently.

Niemi managed to make 29 of 32 saves Monday, but eventually fell 3-2 to the Ducks in overtime. Ryan Kesler's tally just under a minute into the extra frame put an end to Niemi's seven-game win streak, although he still earned his team a point in the process. Niemi heads into the Christmas break sporting a 14-7-4 record, 2.44 GAA and .917 save percentage after essentially turning his season around during the recent winning streak.

Niemi will start Monday's game against the Ducks, Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reports. Niemi will look to keep things rolling after winning each of his last seven starts. He will square off against a Ducks team that he knocked off twice earlier this season.

Niemi picked up his seventh straight win Saturday, stopping 18 of 20 shots in an overtime win over the Blues. All this guy does is win. Niemi is 14-7-3 on the season with a .917 save percentage and 2.42 GAA. The 32-year-old has allowed only seven goals in his last four outings and is a prime reason why the Sharks now sit fifth in the Western Conference. Now that he's caught fire, Niemi is a must-start every game.

Niemi will be between the pipes Saturday night against the Blues, Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports. Niemi will take aim at his seventh straight victory Saturday, though he hasn't been as consistently sharp as the winning streak would suggest. During that stretch, he's surrendered three goals or more on three occasions, but did manage to capture his second shutout of the season. He'll have his work cut out for him against the Blues, who rank sixth in the NHL in goals and fifth in shot attempts per game.

Niemi stopped a modest 25 of 28 shots Thursday, but it was good enough for a 4-3 win over the Oilers -- his sixth consecutive victory. Niemi's winning streak has been a bit of a mixed bag -- he's split it evenly between good and, well, not-so-good games, having turned in a pair of four-goal efforts as well as Thursday's mediocrity.

Niemi will be in the crease Thursday against the Oilers, Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports. With Edmonton entering play Thursday with losses in 15 of their 16 games, Niemi couldn't ask for a more favorable matchup than this. He returned last weekend in dominant fashion after dealing with an undisclosed injury earlier in the week, submitting a 29-save shutout to silence an excellent Predators squad.

Niemi will get the start on Thursday against Edmonton, according to Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area. Niemi is coming off a 29-save shutout against Nashville on Saturday and looking to keep some good momentum going. The game before he stopped 33 of 35 for a .943 save percentage.