Antti Niemi (undisclosed) was the first goalie off the ice at morning skate and is on track to return to the net Saturday against the Predators, Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports.

Niemi (undisclosed) was the first goalie off the ice at morning skate and is on track to return to the net Saturday against the Predators, Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports.

Analysis:

The injury prevented Niemi from starting the Sharks' past two games, but it never seemed to be anything that was viewed as a serious concern, as the team never recalled an extra goalie. Now that he's presumably healthy after that temporary absence, Niemi will put a four-game winning streak on the line against a strong Predators squad that will likely counter with Pekka Rinne, the odds-on favorite for the Vezina Trophy. Use Niemi with caution.