Garon Will Start in Goal

The King goaltender controversy took another turn Thursday.

Mathieu Garon, who has started only once in the last six games, will be in net tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks. Jason LaBarbera gave up five goals in a 5-4 overtime loss to Detroit on Wednesday, though Coach Andy Murray said he was happy with LaBarbera’s play.

Garon made a relief appearance on Oct. 3, stopping all seven shots he saw in the third period. His last start was against San Jose on Oct. 28, when he gave up three goals on 19 shots before being pulled 11 minutes into the second period.

“We think it’s time for him to play,” Murray said. “We evaluate all things after practices. He was going to play in the next two games and we decided it was going to be [tonight].”

This will be his first start against the Blackhawks.

Garon, who has a 2-3 record with a 3.24 goals-against average in seven games this season, started six of the Kings’ first 12 games. His last victory was against Colorado Oct. 19, when the Kings rallied from a 4-1 second-period deficit for a 5-4 victory.

TONIGHT

at Chicago, 5:30 PST, FSNW

Site -- United Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Kings 10-5-1-0, Blackhawks 6-10-0-0.

Record vs. Blackhawks (2003-04) -- 3-1-0-0.

Update -- The Kings were left with six defensemen after re-assigning Richard Petiot to minor league Manchester on Thursday. Defenseman Mike Weaver, who did not accompany the Kings on the trip, will rejoin the team in Columbus on Saturday.