Worried about Mason?
Steve Mason is barely old enough to legally drink a beer, and still technically 4 years shy of being able to rent a car on his own. He’d be a college junior if he’d chosen that route. Instead every night Mason’s trying to stop shots from the finest hockey players in the world. He’s good at it, too. NHL’s Calder Award winner last year—-given to the top rookie in hockey.
But here’s the thing… dude’s giving up a lot of goals these days. 8 of the 9 Detroit scored on the Jackets earlier this month, they scored on Mase. The Rangers rattled off 7 unanswered the other night (to be fair, Mason was pulled and Mathieu Garon had the same issues). Mason’s Goals Against Average is currently 3.59, which ranks him 40th out of 41 goalies listed by the NHL and even well below Garon’s 2.71. He ranks 55th in the league in save percentage, stopping 88.5% of the shots he faces.
YET…
The Jackets remain tied for 2nd in their division and currently sit in the 8th playoff spot. Just think if the Jackets were getting goalkeeping even close to what Mason gave them a year ago! But is this all Mason’s fault? Even Ken Hitchcock is quick to say not even close. His defenders have failed to contest shots with the energy Hitch demands, poor checking and in his view lack of effort have resulted in these wickedly bad nights.
Is Mason still good? Absolutely… ever meet a 21 year old?? Are they a little unpredictable? Of course. His best play is well, well ahead of him. Perhaps his sophomore season’s producing some icy growing pains. And If Mason finds the handle again, watch out…
