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Mason, Blue Jackets seek more success against Ducks

Dec 31, 2008 - 2:52 PM Columbus (16-16-4) at Anaheim (19-14-4), 9:00 p.m. EST

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Chris Mason is the youngest goaltender in the NHL, but is performing like a seasoned veteran.

The Columbus Blue Jackets and their prized rookie look for their third straight win when they continue a six-game road trip against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday.

A third-round pick in 2006, Mason is 11-7-1 with an NHL-leading 1.77 goals-against average in 19 games since being recalled from Syracuse of the American Hockey League on November 4.

Mason is coming off back-to-back shutouts, stopping a total of 44 shots in victories over the Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings this week.

Selected the 2008 World Junior Championship's most valuable player for helping Canada to its fourth straight gold medal, Mason was called up to the parent club after top netminder Pascal Leclaire went down with an injury.

However, he continued to start upon Leclaire's return and was named NHL rookie of the month for November after going a 5-2-1, while posting two shutouts.

If Mason intends on keeping his shutout streak alive, he will have to stymie Anaheim, which has been blanked just once this season.

The Ducks snapped a three-game losing skid on Sunday, when they used key third-period goals from Steve Montador and Bobby Ryan to beat the St. Louis Blues, 4-3.

With that win, Anaheim wrapped up a five-game road trip (2-2-1) and will now play seven of their next eight contests at home.