Who wins the Vezina Trophy?
Well, with Martin Brodeur missing most of the season with a torn biceps tendon and Roberto Luongo missing considerable time with a groin injury (and taking even longer to round back into form), this year’s field is as wide open as it’s been in years. Even perennial candidate Henrik Lundqvist has endured an up-and-down season with his often-lifeless New York Rangers. Lundqvist was yanked Sunday after giving up four goals on 14 shots in a 5-2 loss to Philadelphia, and his 2.57 goals-against average is 19th in the NHL. So what do the league’s GMs do (they decide on the award)? Well, if Columbus pushes its way into the playoffs (the Blue Jackets were among three teams tied for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Western Conference on Monday morning), the award has to go to rookie Steve Mason. The kid is unstoppable, battling mononucleosis to keep the Blue Jackets in the hunt for their first playoff berth. A virtual lock for rookie of the year honors, Mason has been a rock for Columbu
