Steve Mason Problem Can No Longer Be "Swept Under The Rug"

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It's been put off long enough.  It's now time for Steve Mason to be held accountable for the underwhelming start to the season.

The Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender is finally getting a taste of what it's like to have his confidence shaken, and it's costing his team.  Mason cruised through his inaugural season, winning the Calder trophy (awarded to the league's best rookie), being nominated for the Vezina (awarded to the league's best goaltender), and leading the Blue Jackets to their first playoff appearance in franchise history. 

Though he played an underwhelming playoff series against the Red Wings—Columbus was swept 4-0—the fact that he played such a crucial role in their regular season success allowed that to be forgiven.

Not anymore.

Following an embarrassing 9-1 loss against Detroit, a game in which he was pulled (though inexplicably only briefly), what started as a bad season has instantly turned into a humiliating one; one from which there is likely to be no rebound.  And yet everyone within the organization, from the announcers, on down to the coaching staff, seem to be in complete denial that the Mason of old has lost his form—potentially for good.

Ironically, it was the same kind of thing that gave Mason his start in the first place:  Backing up Pascal LeClaire to start the 2008-09 season, Mason was given ample playing time when LeClaire struggled mightily in his sophomore season, eventually leading Columbus to deal LeClaire to Ottawa and giving Mason the starting role in net.

Well now Mason finds himself in LeClaire's shoes, caught up in a meltdown of epic proportions:  As of Nov. 12, Mason is tied for dead last in the league in save percentage (.879) and is in sole possession of dead last in goals against average (3.67).  Yet despite all these numbers, it seems that no one is doubting him, that everyone has faith he will rebound and have a stellar season like he did last year.

Certainly a little faith is good, but at what point does it become blind?

During the constant Blue Jackets telecasts on Fox Sports Ohio, the announcing team of Jeff Rimer and Bill Davidge have not once mentioned his status as a cellar-dweller in statistics among goaltenders, even once claiming (based on one good game against San Jose) that he had "regained his form."  One good game is nothing but just that:  One good game.  Unfortunately playoffs are decided by which teams get the best out of 82.

Now, I'm not placing all of the blame directly on the young netminder himself; in fact, I feel much of the problem lies with management and, as much as I hate to say it, coaching.  While Ken Hitchock is no doubt a great coach, what is with his hesitation to play backup Mathieu Garon, who played a mere 12 minutes in replacement of Mason in the first period of the 9-1 shellacking against Detroit, only to put Mason back in for the final two periods?  When all was said and done, Mason let in 8-of-9 total goals, on only 27 shots.  Garon, meanwhile, made eleven saves on the twelve shots he faced during his twelve minutes—the lone goal coming off a screen in front.

Garon is looking much sharper than Mason, even in his limited role.  In three starts, he is 2-1 with 2.83 GAA and a .918 save percentage.  While far from the league lead, that's enough for a few more Blue Jackets wins, not to mention a much better start than Mason, who has never been above .900 on the season.

The fact of the matter is, the Mason problem cannot just be swept under the rug any longer.  With a capable backup for the first time in perhaps the franchise's history, there is no reason to continue rolling with a goaltender caught in the midst of a truly terrible sophomore slump, one that, though only one month into the long, grueling season, may come back to haunt them sooner than later if not addressed immediately.

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