Niemi will start between the posts Thursday night for a home contest against the Ducks, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niemi and Kari Lehtonen recorded 25 wins apiece last regular season, but the Finnish duo was quite shaky in the playoffs, relying on the high-powered offense in a failed bid to earn the coveted Stanley Cup -- Dallas would get knocked out by the Blues in seven games of the conference semifinals. Niemi has posted a 2.43 GAA and .915 save percentage in 386 career games between the Blackhawks, Sharks and Stars.