Is Steve Mason Back?

To say Wednesday night’s shutout was huge for Steve Mason is a complete understatement. This 21 year-old Columbus Blue Jackets goalie who took home the Calder Trophy last season has unexpectedly  struggled this season in posting a .886 save percentage and a 3.44 goals against average which has concerned management. Mason who led the NHL with 10 shutouts last season has given up an average of 3.5 goals per game and has admitted to be pressing and feeling the pressure. “It’s been kind of weighing on me the last little while,” Mason said. One can bet that not only Mason but also management was breathing a sigh of relief on Wednesday after what was a 3-0 Blue Jackets home win against the Florida Panthers. In reflecting on the game Mason who stopped 32 shots was especially relieved to get that shutout. “Obviously, every goaltender likes to have a couple of goose eggs throughout the year,” Mason said. “I was having trouble getting the first one but it’s nice to get it out of the way.”Another good sign for a Columbus team fighting for a playoff spot is that young forward Derick Brassard scored for the first time in 14 games. ”I was not playing bad,” Brassard who has season ending shoulder surgery last year after 31 games said. “I was just not playing like a great player, which is what I want to be.” Besides for Brassard also scoring for Columbus was Jason Chimera and Samuel Pahlsson. Mason was most impressive when the Blue Jackets blanked the Panthers on three straight power plays in the third period. “He looked like the same Mase as last year,” Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock said. “He gave us a chance tonight.”