Niemi stopped all 29 shots he faced in Saturday's win over the Avalanche. A dominant outing from Niemi, who shut down a Nashville team that currently sits fourth in the Western Conference. The 31-year-old has now won five straight games, allowing two or fewer goals in four of his last six starts. Niemi is 12-7-3 on the season with a .919 save percentage and 2.42 GAA. Forget the slow start, as the Finnish netminder is back to being one of the league's best. He needs to be in your lineup every night he gets the start.

Niemi (undisclosed) was the first goalie off the ice at morning skate and is on track to return to the net Saturday against the Predators, Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports. The injury prevented Niemi from starting the Sharks' past two games, but it never seemed to be anything that was viewed as a serious concern, as the team never recalled an extra goalie. Now that he's presumably healthy after that temporary absence, Niemi will put a four-game winning streak on the line against a strong Predators squad that will likely counter with Pekka Rinne, the odds-on favorite for the Vezina Trophy. Use Niemi with caution.

Niemi (undisclosed) is expected to start Saturday's game against the Predators, Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports. Niemi was held out of starting the Sharks' last two games after getting banged up Tuesday morning, but it sounds like he eliminated any concerns about a long-term absence being on the table by practicing Friday. Expect the Sharks to formally announce Niemi as Saturday's starter at the completion of their gameday skate.

Niemi (undisclosed) will not start Thursday's game against the Wild, but will be on hand to back up Alex Stalock, Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports. The Sharks are labeling Niemi's injury as minor after he was a late scratch Tuesday in favor of Alex Stalock, so the team appears to be taking precaution in using him as the backup. Niemi resumed on-ice work Wednesday and could be back at full health for the Sharks' next game Saturday versus the Predators.

Niemi (undisclosed) was on the ice for Wednesday's optional session, Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports. Niemi was scratched from Tuesday's start against the Oilers after taking a hard shot during the team's gameday skate, but his presence on the ice a day later provides hope that his injury isn't too significant. He was still able to serve as the backup for Alex Stalock in Tuesday's 5-2 win. The Sharks will likely assess his condition after Thursday's morning skate before determining if he's fit to start later in the evening against the Wild.

Niemi was scratched from Tuesday's start against the Oilers after coach Todd McLellan said he "took a shot in the pregame skate," Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports. The Sharks confirmed Niemi as Tuesday's starter after their morning session, but the goalie suffered an injury just minutes before the puck dropped and was forced to serve as the backup. Alex Stalock stepped in and guided the Sharks to the win, but provided Niemi's injury isn't anything overly significant, he'll still retain the title as the team's No. 1 goalie. The Sharks should provide an update on his condition Wednesday.

Niemi will be between the pipes for the Sharks on Tuesday against Edmonton, according to Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area. Niemi has been up and down recently. For seven straight games his save percentage has alternated between above and below .900. He's getting wins, but it's hard to know what Niemi you're getting in any given start.

Niemi gave up just two goals on 35 shots for his fourth straight win Saturday against Calgary. While he gave up four goals in two of those wins, Niemi was spectacular Saturday, shutting down the Flames' high-flying offense. Now that the Sharks have caught fire, look for Niemi to keep piling on the wins. With an 11-7-1 record, a .915 save percentage, and a 2.54 GAA, Niemi is one of the more reliable fantasy goalies around. Keep in mind though, that the Sharks play again Sunday, so Niemi is likely to get a rest in favor of Alex Stalock.

Niemi is expected to start in goal Saturday against the Flames, Kevin Kurz of CSNBayArea.com reports. Niemi gave up four goals on just 24 shots Thursday against Boston but still earned the victory, his 10th of the season. He's in line to oppose Karri Ramo on Saturday, but coach Todd McLellan said Alex Stalock will likely mind the next Sunday in the second half of a back-to-back set.

Niemi stopped 20 of 24 shots in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Bruins. Niemi looked like he might have been at risk of getting pulled early after yielding two goals in the first three minutes, but he settled down after that and then watched his offense overwhelm the Boston defense over the final two periods. In so doing, Niemi claimed his third consecutive victory, though he's only been truly impressive in one of those games. Still, it appears he's played well enough for coach Todd McLellan to continue rolling him as the No. 1 goalie, as backup Alex Stalock has yet to see any work since returning from injured reserve last Saturday.