Niemi is slated to start Thursday's game against the Oilers, David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News reports. Coach Todd McLellan has yet to decide which of his goalies will start Saturday's season finale against the Kings, but back-to-back losses in which the team surrendered five goals leaves the Sharks out of playoff contention. Niemi, who is 2-2 over his last four starts, has allowed 13 goals in that span.