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The plan was simple for Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson in the offseason: Hire a goaltender who would serve as a competent backup to rookie standout Steve Mason.
Sometimes even the best-laid plans go awry.
Now Mathieu Garon should be the go-to guy in Columbus, following his solid performance in net against the Anaheim Ducks last night, a game that saw Garon stop 32 of the 34 shots he faced, including blanking the Ducks in the shootout. Columbus would go on to win that game 3-2.
Garon looked solid, for the most part, but was spectacular when he had to be, making an incredible glove save on Ryan Getzlaf when it appeared the Ducks forward had him beat with 1:01 remaining in the second period.
That save kept the game tied at two, forcing the overtime session and, once that failed to provide a winner, the shootout session.
These kinds of saves are the kinds the Jackets have needed all season, but have not gotten from starter Steve Mason, who has been nothing short of abysmal: His .879 save percentage and 3.67 are at the very bottom of goaltending statistics across the entire league.
But, even though Garon has never been an outstanding goaltender, serving as a backup almost his entire NHL career, he has looked solid between the pipes for the Jackets, going 3-1 in the four games that he has started.
His only flub of the season is that one loss, in which the Jackets held a 4-1 lead against the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 22, and eventually lost 6-4.
That game might have been the reason that coach Ken Hitchcock has been so hesitant to play Garon as of late, but he was left with virtually no choice with Mason's performance last Wednesday against the Red Wings, which saw the team's No. 1 goaltender let in eight goals on 27 shots.
But he has proven himself worthy by rebounding to win his next two consecutive starts since that loss.
Yet the starter for Monday night's rematch against the Edmonton Oilers is reportedly still up in the air, as if there's really a decision to be made.
Whether or not the coaching staff is turning their blinders to it, which it appears that they inexplicably are, Garon is playing one of the finer seasons of his career.
His current save percentage of .923 through seven games, is the third highest of his career, while his 2.60 GAA, while not putting him anywhere near the top 10 in individual games, is still a full goal under Mason's average, and is giving the Jackets a chance to win every night.
The point is, the Jackets need to keep playing Garon while he's hot and winning, if for no other reason than to maintain his confidence level. Since the Edmonton game, he has not let in a soft goal, and is even finding ways to stop shots that should be goals.
Until Mason can do that, there should be no choice in Columbus. Garon for No. 1.
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