Niemi will defend the net for Wednesday's home matchup against the Islanders, Eric Engels of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi has had a rough season in the crease for the Islanders this season, posting a 3.76 GAA and an .892 save percentage over 15 appearances. The netminder has posted better numbers while in the friendly confines of the Belle Centre, but even a 2.88 GAA matched with a .924 save percentage leaves Niemi off the majority of fantasy radars.

Niemi made 36 saves Saturday in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Lightning.

EDGE Analysis

Yes, it was a tough matchup, but Niemi was up to the task. He only allowed one shootout goal, but unfortunately, his teammates couldn't muster any help. Niemi will be the Habs' starter while Carey Price is sidelined. He will need to be outstanding if the Hab clean house and go with youth at the deadline.

Niemi will defend the cage against the Lightning at home Saturday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi was shelled by the Golden Knights last Saturday -- allowing three goals on six shots -- but he rebounded nicely against a decimated Rangers club Thursday, turning away 31 of 32 shots for his third win in nine appearances as a Canadien. Tampa Bay boasts the league's most potent road attack, so Niemi will be hard-pressed to add another 'W' to the season ledger.

Niemi made 31 saves in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi was on top of his game here, but that's rarely been the case this season. This was Niemi's first start all season with fewer than two goals allowed, and he still owns an awful 3.86 GAA and .888 save percentage over 14 appearances between the Penguins, Panthers and Canadiens this season.

Niemi will assume the home net versus the Rangers on Thursday, Stu Cowen of the Montreal Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Habs announced that celebrated netminder Carey Price will be out indefinitely with a concussion, so the Habs will look to Niemi and potentially Charlie Lindgren to hold down the fort in the meantime. Montreal is soon to be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, which could be a blessing in disguise for Niemi, as it takes a ton of pressure of his shoulders. His upcoming opponent should also be sellers ahead of Monday's trade deadline, with the Rangers having dropped four straight contests to fall to the basement of the Metropolitan Division.

Niemi stopped only three of six shots before being pulled midway through the first period of Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Golden Knights.

EDGE Analysis

Carey Price wasn't much better in relief, but Niemi still failed to take advantage of one of his rare starting opportunities. It's just the second time in eight games with the Habs that the 34-year-old has allowed more than two goals, but the team's overall struggles make Niemi a risky fantasy play even when he does get the nod in net.

Niemi will start in goal Saturday night against host Vegas, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi will be making his second start in the last three games for a Canadiens team that's almost entirely out of the playoff picture ahead of the NHL's trade deadline. The Golden Knights figure to give him a run for his money, though, as the armored ones are averaging 3.40 goals per game in their inaugural season -- ranked only behind the Lightning in said category. After a brutal start with the Penguins and Panthers, respectively, Niemi has settled in well with the Canadian club, as he's 2-2-1 with a 2.41 GAA and .927 save percentage. Still, starting him against the new club is a risky endeavor to say the least.

Niemi conceded twice against 25 Colorado shots in a 2-0 loss to the Avalanche on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi wasn't bad in giving Carey Price the night off, but Semyon Varlamov was better, leaving the Finnish veteran stuck with the loss. Despite getting saddled with the L, Niemi has done well in relief for the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge, and he's a strong value play when the Habs give Price a game to rest.

Niemi will be between the pipes for Wednesday's road tilt against the Avalanche, Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

After a pitiful start to the season, in which Niemi went 0-4-0 with a 6.74 GAA and .822 save percentage while suiting up for both Pittsburgh and Florida, the Finnish netminder has performed well with Montreal. In six games, Niemi is 2-1-1 with a 2.47 GAA and .929 save percentage, an impressive statline considering that his game opportunities are limited as Carey Price's backup. While Colorado will be without top scorer Nathan MacKinnon on Wednesday, it ranks seventh in league scoring with 3.15 goals per game and tallied five markers in its most recent contest.

Niemi made 43 saves on 45 shots in a 5-2 victory against the Ducks on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The Ducks swarmed the net early and often in this one, but Niemi was up to the task with his best performance of the season. Niemi was bad enough to last only three games with the Penguins and then two with the Panthers back in the fall, but since catching on with the Canadiens, he owns a .929 save percentage in six appearances. Niemi has also won his last two games. He's not a guy that will receive many starts, and it's still probably too early to completely trust him as a streaming option, but Niemi is trending in the right direction.