Goalie Juggling Continues

Jason LaBarbera received more audition time Tuesday, with his second start in goal for the Kings.

LaBarbera and Mathieu Garon have shared the job since the season began, making the Kings one of the few NHL teams to juggle goaltenders.

Garon was acquired on June 26, 2004 with the idea that he would become the Kings’ top goaltender.

He spent the 2003-04 season backing up Jose Theodore in Montreal and came at a price, center Radek Bonk, whom the Kings had acquired from Ottawa the same day.

But Coach Andy Murray has swapped Garon each game with LaBarbera, who was signed in August at about half of Garon’s salary. To date, the Kings have received about the same performance from each.

“We have tried to prevent labels,” Murray said. “We want to let one grow into that role. If we said one was the No. 1 goaltender and he struggled, then people would start writing, ‘Is he a No. 1 goalie?’ ”

Still, it’s not as if Garon and LaBarbera haven’t had that pressure before. Garon was the top goaltender for Manchester, the Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate, last season. LaBarbera was the No. 1 goalie for Hartford in the AHL last season.

“That was different,” Murray said. “A different level, different pressure.”

Most teams have already settled on a top goaltender, with the Kings, Edmonton and Minnesota among those who have been juggling goaltenders.

Said LaBarbera: “It’s going to be interesting to see how this plays out. I know that if Mathieu plays good, then I have to step it up the next game. “

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Michael Cammalleri, projected as a top-six forward, returned to the King lineup Tuesday, after sitting out the previous two games.... The Kings activated defenseman Richard Petiot (bruised ribs) from the injured reserved and re-assigned him to Manchester.