Coincidence or not, Columbus goalie Steve Mason has solved his recent problems since the Blue Jackets fired their coach a week ago.
Mason’s 40 Saves Leads Columbus Past San Jose, 3-0
Mason made 40 saves to lead the Blue Jackets to a 3-0 victory over San Jose Wednesday night in Columbus.
It was Mason’s second shutout in three games and helped Columbus (25-27-9) improve to 3-0 under interim coach Claude Noel, who took over for Ken Hitchcock Feb. 3.
Despite the modest winning streak, Columbus remains 14th in the Western Conference and eight points out of a playoff spot.
San Jose saw its nine-game road winning streak snapped and was shutout for only the second time this season.
Columbus scored a goal in each period with Rick Nash scoring at 13:18 of the first period for his 26th goal of the season and 13th point in 12 games.
Jakub Voracek broke a 26-game goal drought when he made it 2-0 at 8:40 of the second period and Antoine Vermette added an empty-netter with 24 seconds remaining.
Mason (15-18-6) made 21 saves in the third period to preserve his third shutout of the season. Mason had 10 shutouts last season on his way to winning the Calder Trophy but has slumped in his second year with a goal against average nearly a goal higher at 3.14.
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