Cloutier waits for playing time

Goaltending remains the main talking point for the Kings.

Their young forwards are showing a little maturity and a bit of skill, with the team averaging 3.75 goals the last 12 games. Their defensemen creak a little from age and wear but have been effective in limiting opportunities. The power play even seems to have some juice.

So the spotlight, and at times the red light, has shined in the crease.

Mathieu Garon has linked consecutive wins with solid, though hardly spectacular play, and seems certain to get a fourth consecutive start Thursday against the Phoenix Coyotes. Dan Cloutier, meanwhile, sits and waits, hoping for a chance at redemption.

Cloutier, acquired in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks and given a hefty contract extension, has labored since the season began, as his numbers clearly indicate. He has a 3.67 goals-against average, and .868 save percentage -- worst in the league in both categories among goaltenders who have played at least 10 games.

When he gets his next opportunity is largely up to how Garon performs. Cloutier has not played since giving up five goals in 12 shots against the San Jose Sharks last Wednesday.

“I think I just have to play,” Cloutier when asked where his game needs improvement. “I started to feel good a couple weeks ago, then I had the bad game in San Jose and I haven’t played since.”

Still, Cloutier said, “I’m not disagreeing with the decision. It’s just as a player, if you have a bad game, you don’t want to sit three, four, five days. You want to get in there and play better.”

Cloutier, who was given a two-year, $6.2-million extension in September, had played only 13 NHL games the last two seasons. The lockout wiped out the 2004-05 season and Cloutier suffered a knee injury early last season. Both, he said, have been small factors in his rough start this season.

“You don’t lose the big things, like your technique, but the little things I need to get back,” Cloutier said. “Your timing and dealing with traffic in front of the net and tipped shots. Those are small things that make a difference.

“You can tell when a goaltender is having a tough time. He’s thinking out there instead of playing. It’s been back and forth with me. I need to get the consistency back in my game.”

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The kids are all right? A good portion of the Kings’ offense is coming from their Sesame Street crew.

Alexander Frolov, 24, has 11 goals and 18 points in the last 13 games. Michael Cammalleri, 24, has three goals and 13 points in the last 12 games. Dustin Brown, 22, has five goals and 12 points in the last 14 games. Anze Kopitar, 19, has three goals and 10 points in the last 11 games.

Frolov and Kopitar also scored goals in the 3-2 shootout over the New Jersey Devils on Monday.

chris.foster@latimes.com