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NHL Saturday: The Grocery Stick
By
CHRIS STEVENSON, QMI Agency
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  Ottawa Senator Jason Spezza is stopped by Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason during third period action at Scotiabank Place. Saturday October 22,2011. (ERROL MCGIHON/QMI Agency)
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Who is headed -- literally or figuratively -- for that comfortable spot on the bench that separates the forwards and the defencemen?
STEVE MASON, G, Columbus Blue Jackets.
A goaltender's performance is a reflection of his team and vice versa. Mason has been in the middle of the mess that is the Jackets this season. He leads the NHL in losses (12) and goals allowed (54), although he has faced only the 10th most shots); and ranks 45th in save percentage (.875) and 44th in goals-against average (3.63). Since his outstanding rookie season in 2008-09 (33 wins, .916 save percentage, 2.29 GAA), Mason is 47-59-17 with an .892 save percentage. Thursday night, Curtis Sanford started for the Jackets against Boston and gave them their best goaltending performance of the season as they lost in a shootout.
