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Garon is yielding better net results

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Times Staff Writer

Through the first 25 games this season, two things are painfully clear for the Kings:

* The only way they can win the Pacific Division is if the Ducks, San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars all disband.

* Mathieu Garon clearly has been a better goaltender than Dan Cloutier.

“I’m looking for our goalies to play better than they have been playing,” Coach Marc Crawford said. “They have worked their tails off. I can vouch wholeheartedly for the character of both these guys.”

That being said, Crawford said Garon would start tonight against the New Jersey Devils. Garon stopped 22 of 23 shots in a 3-1 victory Saturday over the Calgary Flames.

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“I don’t know if either have deserved to get more time,” Crawford said. “I still believe in both these guys.

“I’ve been around tough markets for goaltenders and I’ve seen them get run out town, one who ended up here [Felix Potvin]. The most important thing is to get our goaltenders to believe in themselves.”

Facts are facts, and the numbers tilt significantly in Garon’s favor. He has a 2.72 goals-against average and .903 save percentage. Cloutier has a 3.67 goals-against average and .868 save percentage.

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“We don’t want to point fingers, we all want to stick together to work through any problems,” Crawford said.

*

Brian Boyle, a first-round draft pick by the Kings in 2003, said he would sign after Boston College’s season ends, the New Hampshire Union Leader reported.

*

KINGS TONIGHT

vs. New Jersey, 7, Versus

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Kings 8-13-4, Devils 12-9-1.

Update -- The teams have not played since the 2003-04 season. The Kings’ Alexander Frolov has eight goals in his last six games and 11 in his last 12.

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chris.foster@latimes.com

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