Niemi is expected to start Thursday against Buffalo, reports Mark Stepneski of NHL.com.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi's last couple starts have not gone well. He was pulled on Jan. 14 against the Wild after allowing three goals on three shots. Then he allowed six goals on 28 shots against the Rangers. Buffalo's offense is starting to wake up. Combined with Niemi's poor starts recently, he's not an alluring play.