Antti Niemi News

Niemi allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Canadiens loss in Edmonton on December 23rd. In four games since joining Montreal, Niemi has allowed eight goals on 97 shots (.918 SV%) but is 0-2-1. He catches the Capitals on the tail-end of a back-to-back, but they also come in having gone 6-1-1 in their last eight.

Niemi allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Canadiens loss in Edmonton on December 23rd. In four games since joining Montreal, Niemi has allowed eight goals on 97 shots (.918 SV%) but is 0-2-1. He catches the Capitals on the tail-end of a back-to-back, but they also come in having gone 6-1-1 in their last eight.

Niemi allowed one goal on four shots in his Canadiens debut after he replacing Charlie Lindgren in Saturday’s loss to Toronto. With Lindgren starting last night and Carey Price still hurt, it looks like Niemi may make his first start with Montreal tonight. He has been absolutely dreadful in his six appearances this season (6.67 GAA / .820 SV%).

Niemi allowed one goal on four shots in his Canadiens debut after he replacing Charlie Lindgren in Saturday’s loss to Toronto. With Lindgren starting last night and Carey Price still hurt, it looks like Niemi may make his first start with Montreal tonight. He has been absolutely dreadful in his six appearances this season (6.67 GAA / .820 SV%).

Niemi opened the season in Pittsburgh but was claimed off of waivers when Roberto Luongo was hurt and now that he is back, Niemi was waived again and claimed by Montreal who are currently without Carey Price and Al Montoya. Niemi is likely just insurance and will be nothing more than Charlie Lindgren’s backup. He heads to Montreal with a 6.74 GAA and .822 SV% in give games this season. Yikes.

Niemi was yanked after allowing four goals on 13 shots in the Penguins’ 10-1 loss in Chicago last Thursday. It was a horrible Penguins debut for Niemi, who will start the second game of Pittsburgh’s back-to-back tonight in Tampa Bay. Niemi is over the hill and is one of the riskiest spot-start options in the league, even behind one of the most powerful offences.

Niemi’s numbers have been slipping for the last few years, finally resulting in an .892 SV% and a buyout in 2016-17. Niemi is a value option to serve as Matt Murray’s backup with Marc-Andre Fleury being selected by the Vegas Golden Knights. A limited role is probably best for the 33-year-old and he will be playing behind a more defensively responsible team than he was in Dallas.

After acquiring Ben Bishop from the Kings, the Stars were going to move or buyout Niemi or Kari Lehtonen. Niemi was set to enter the final year of his contract that carried a $4.5M cap-hit, but the buyout will cost the Stars $1.5M against the cap for the next two seasons. The veteran netminder struggled a season ago, posting a 3.30 GAA and .892 SV% in 37 games.

Niemi allowed two goals on 18 shots after replacing Kari Lehtonen in the Stars’ loss in San Jose on Sunday. Niemi has allowed a combined nine goals on the last 56 shots that he has faced (.839 SV%). Niemi is 2-6-2 with a 4.21 GAA and .870 SV% on the road this season, so be cautious with the veteran tonight in Edmonton.

Niemi allowed two goals on 18 shots after replacing Kari Lehtonen in the Stars’ loss in San Jose on Sunday. Niemi has allowed a combined nine goals on the last 56 shots that he has faced (.839 SV%). Niemi is 2-6-2 with a 4.21 GAA and .870 SV% on the road this season, so be cautious with the veteran tonight in Edmonton.