Antti Niemi was the first goalie off the ice at the Sharks' morning skate and is expected to start Thursday against the Red Wings, David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Niemi was the first goalie off the ice at the Sharks' morning skate and is expected to start Thursday against the Red Wings, David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Analysis:

Niemi has held the opposition to exactly two goals three of his last four times out, but he still seems to be stuck among the middle-tier of goalies. His 24-15-7 record for the season is nice, but a 2.60 GAA and .913 save percentage don't provide much assistance in the ratio categories. He's still a viable option in deeper formats and even as a second goalie in shallower leagues, though he's no longer the automatic play that he was as recently as a couple of years ago.