Antti Niemi will start in Game 1 against Los Angeles. The Sharks made some waves when they didn't immediately name their starter for Thursday's playoff opener, but it shouldn't come as a surprise that Niemi will get the nod.

The San Jose Sharks aren't naming their starting goaltender for Game 1. The fact that it's even possible that backup goalie Alex Stalock might start over Antti Niemi is telling. Niemi dropped off from his superb 2013 numbers with a 2.39 GAA and .913 save percentage in 64 games this season.

San Jose goaltender Antti Niemi made 30 saves to help the San Jose Sharks record a 3-2 victory against the Coyotes in Phoenix Saturday night. Niemi ends his regular season impressively, with a record of 39-17-7, a GAA of 2.39 and a save percentage of .913. San Jose will face the Los Angeles Kings in a Western Conference first round matchup in the coming week. The Sharks-Kings series will be a rematch of a 2013 Western Conference Semifinal that the Kings won in seven games.

Antti Niemi let in three goals on only 19 shots in San Jose's 5-2 loss to Anaheim Wednesday night. Niemi allowed some soft goals and he was replaced by Alex Stalock in the second period. Stalock stopped 9 of 10 shots he faced. Niemi now has a 38-17-7 record with a 2.40 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.

Antti Niemi gave up three goals in San Jose's 3-0 loss to Nashville on Saturday night. Niemi kicked away only 21 shots on the night. While he has the second-most wins in the league (38), his rates don't really stand out: 2.37 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. San Jose has 107 points, good for third in the West.

Antti Niemi turned aside 26 of 27 shots in San Jose's 2-1 win over Los Angeles Thursday night. Niemi played a very good game and the Sharks was able to beat the Kings. He now has a 38-15-7 record with a 2.36 goals-against average and .913 save percentage.

Antti Niemi let in four goals on 29 shots in San Jose's 5-4 win over Edmonton Tuesday night. Niemi didn't play very well, but the Sharks was able to win anyway. He now has a 37-15-7 record with a 2.38 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. San Jose's next game will be on Thursday against Los Angeles so Niemi will probably get the start then too.

Antti Niemi let in four goals on 31 shots in San Jose's 4-3 loss to Winnipeg Thursday night. Niemi now has a 36-15-7 record with a 2.35 goals-against average and .914 save percentage. The Sharks will face the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday and it could be Alex Stalock's turn to start then for the Sharks.

Antti Niemi turned aside 28 of 30 shots in San Jose's 5-2 win over Edmonton Tuesday night. Niemi played a solid game and made some great saves in the game. Niemi now has a 36-14-7 record with a 2.32 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.

Antti Niemi and the Sharks were upended by Washington 3-2 in a shootout Saturday night. Niemi was solid enough, as he allowed two goals on 25 shots in the defeat, but he denied only one of three Washington shooters in the defeat. His record falls to 35-14-8 with the defeat while his GAA is now 2.33 and his save percentage is .914.