Cloutier, Garon still have a share

These are goaltender numbers that catch the eye one month into the season.

Mathieu Garon has a 1.72 goals-against average, the lowest in the NHL. Dan Cloutier sits at 3.48 goals per game, fifth-highest among the 39 goaltenders who have played in at least five games.

Garon’s .941 save percentage is second best in the NHL. Cloutier’s .874 percentage is the fourth worst among those who have played in at least five games.

That left Kings fans chanting, “Gar-ron, Gar-ron, Gar-ron,” after Cloutier gave up two goals on the first four shots in what became a 4-3 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.

This, though, is not the People’s Choice Awards. Coach Marc Crawford indicated Thursday that he would continue to use both goaltenders.

“The feeling is we have guys in goal who give us a chance to win in every game we go into,” Crawford said. “That is an advantage for us. It’s good to see Matty get off to the start he has had this season. Dan has not had the results that maybe he deserved some nights, but that can change.”

Still, Crawford said, “as I have said a few times this year, we’re in a success-driven business.”

Right now, the steadiest behind the wheel has been Garon.

Standard operating hockey procedure has always led teams to stick with a hot goaltender, especially after a victory. Garon was returned to the bench Wednesday despite coming off a 4-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Monday. Garon has allowed six goals in his previous four starts, getting the team five points in that time -- two victories and an overtime loss.

Cloutier, meanwhile, has lost his last seven games, two in overtime, yet started Wednesday.

“We wanted Cloot to work through the criticism he was getting from our fans and in public,” Crawford said. “Fighting through that is a positive sign.”

The other sign that may come into play is the dollar sign. Cloutier, acquired in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks last summer, was given a two-year, $6.2-million contract extension that kicks in next season, though Crawford said, “We’re committed to both our goaltenders.”

Cloutier fell out of favor with fans at the start of the season after a handful of soft goals. He has been sharper since a 2-1 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on Oct. 18, yet has a 1-6-2 record. His only victory was over the New York Islanders.

“It’s coming,” Cloutier said before Wednesday’s game. “I’ve had a couple good games and hopefully I’ll be able to keep it rolling.”

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The Kings sent forward Patrick O’Sullivan to Manchester, their American Hockey League team. O’Sullivan, acquired in a trade that sent Pavol Demitra to the Minnesota Wild, had one goal and one assist in 12 games this season.

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Trade winds swirled in Ottawa this week. The Kings were to send Craig Conroy to the Senators for Daniel Alfredsson. The rumors quickly fizzled.

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