Garon Is the Top Man in All but Name Only

The last visit to Denver was a little more precarious for King goaltender Mathieu Garon, who returns tonight as the team’s No. 1 goalie.

Garon came to training camp expecting to be No. 1, then learned that Coach Andy Murray had other plans -- no one would get top billing. So Garon spent the first month of the season swapping games with Jason LaBarbera.

On Oct. 11, Garon made his fourth start against the Colorado Avalanche and by the end of the first period had given up three goals on nine shots. His play justified being yanked. Instead, Murray made a big splash in the dressing room about how Garon would stay in the game and others had better step up.

Garon gave up a fourth goal six minutes into the second period, then closed the net. The Kings won, 5-4.

“My confidence was good when I left that game,” Garon said. “Andy stuck with me and I think it did me good. It wasn’t a huge turning point, but it helped get me going.”

Murray still refuses to officially name a No. 1 goaltender, but Garon has started 18 of the last 22 games. He has a 2.55 goals-against average and .918 save percentage in that stretch. The Kings have a 13-5 record in Garon’s last 18 starts.

*

Defenseman Aaron Miller saw a back specialist Tuesday and is not expected to join the Kings on their three-game trip. Miller has missed the last two games because of a back injury.

Murray said that forward George Parros (sprained ankle) could be available tonight.

*

TONIGHT

at Colorado, 6 PST, FSN West 2

Site -- Pepsi Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Kings 23-14-1, Avalanche 19-15-3.

Record vs. Avalanche -- 2-0-0.

Update -- The Kings’ Alexander Frolov has gone 14 games without a goal, but forward Michael Cammalleri has scored six goals in the last eight games. The Avalanche has given up nearly four goals per game in going 5-7 in its last 12 games and has plenty of goaltender woes. In a 7-4 victory over Phoenix on Monday, goaltender Vitaly Kolesnik was yanked after giving up two goals on the first shots he faced. Peter Budaj, who replaced Kolesnik, gave up six goals in the previous game.