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.