Antti Niemi will be in the net Thursday against the Wild, Kevin Kurz of CSNBayArea.com reports.

Niemi will be in the net Thursday against the Wild, Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports.

Analysis:

After impressive back-to-back showings in wins over the Ducks and Avalanche, Niemi has begun to create some separation from Alex Stalock in the goalie timeshare. He'll make his third consecutive start Thursday and could further entrench himself as the Sharks' No. 1 goalie if he's able to outplay the Wild's Darcy Kuemper, who has been one of the league's best netminders over the season's first month.