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Mason, Blue Jackets seek fifth straight win

Jan 3, 2009 - 12:51 PM Columbus (18-16-4) at St Louis (14-21-3), 8:30 pm EST

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Rookie Steve Mason has emerged as the clear front-runner for the Calder Trophy. If he continues playing the way he is, the 20-year-old may find his way into the Vezina conversation.

Mason and the Columbus Blue Jackets will seek their fifth consecutive victory when they face the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.

After posting three consecutive shutouts, Mason finally allowed a goal Friday but the Blue Jackets still cruised to a 6-1 triumph over the Colorado Avalanche. Mason's shutout streak was ended at 199 minutes, 19 seconds.

Rick Nash led the offensive outburst with a goal and three assists.

Selected 69th overall in 2006 by Columbus, Mason is 13-7-1 with an NHL-best 1.66 goals-against average and .939 save percentage.

If the Jackets choose to give the talented rookie the night off, Pascal Leclaire will get the nod in net.

Whoever starts will likely be opposed by Chris Mason, who is no relation to Steve. The other Mason, however, owns a 9-1-1 career record against Columbus.

The Blues are hoping to avoid a fourth straight loss after falling to the Carolina Hurricanes, 2-1, on Friday. Chris Mason was handed his sixth consecutive loss in that one.