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Mason, Blue Jackets aim for third straight win

Dec 14, 2008 - 8:29 AM Columbus (13-13-3) at Chicago (14-6-7), 7:00 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Columbus Blue Jackets may have found another building block other than Rick Nash.

Goaltender Steve Mason will try to continue his impressive rookie campaign when the Blue Jackets square off against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.

Since being recalled on November 5, Mason has turned himself into Columbus' No. 1 netminder and may turn his sights on getting the team to the postseason for first time in its nine-year history.

The 20-year-old Mason has been spectacular in leading the Blue Jackets to back-to-back wins over the Nashville Predators and New York Islanders. He stopped 49 of the 51 shots he faced in those contests.

Mason - along with teammate Derick Brassard - has emerged as a Calder Trophy contender, posting an 8-4-1 record with a 2.05 goals-against average and two shutouts.

The 21-year-old Brassard is giving the club a viable offensive weapon outside of Nash, totaling nine goals and a team-high 14 assists in 2008-09. Nash has 13 goals and 25 points.

The Blackhawks are seeking their fourth consecutive victory after defeating the Colorado Avalanche on Friday. Dustin Byfuglien scored two goals for Chicago, which has won four of its last five contests.