by Aaron Portzline, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH , The Columbus Dispatch

After saying Friday that goaltender Steve Mason would return after a one-game break, Hitchcock began reconsidering hours later after Garon had 32 saves and played masterfully to beat the Ducks.

Hitchcock made the call before yesterday's practice, saying Garon will start Monday when the Blue Jackets play the Edmonton Oilers in Nationwide Arena.

"Eventually," Hitchcock said, "you have to reward somebody for their good play."

This is the sort of situation general manager Scott Howson had in mind in July when he signed Garon to a two-year, $2.4 million contract to serve as Mason's backup.

Garon has been a No. 1 goaltender for two NHL clubs -- Los Angeles and Edmonton -- and he has also served as a mentor last season in Pittsburgh to Marc-Andre Fleury.

Garon understood the Blue Jackets' situation, that Mason -- seen as a franchise goaltender -- would get 65-plus starts and a long leash to work out his troubles. But he also was assured that good play would be rewarded.

"I'm not here to count ice time, or whatever," Garon said. "I'm here to help us win Hockey games. I know it's part of my job to play when (Mason) needs a day off, but I also know that he's going to need to be pushed like everybody else."

Garon's numbers -- 3-1 with a .923 save percentage and 2.60 goals-against average -- are much better than Mason's. After allowing a career-high eight goals Wednesday in a 9-1 loss to Detroit, Mason is 7-5-2 with an .879 save percentage and 3.67 goals-against average.

"I don't think it's his fault what happened (against Detroit)," Garon said, "but sometimes someone behind you pushing you is good for everybody."

The Blue Jackets came back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits against Anaheim but needed two huge saves from Garon in the second period.

At 6:56 of the second, he stretched his left pad and barely kicked aside a shot by Anaheim's Corey Perry.

At 18:59 of the second, he flashed his glove to rob Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf of what appeared to be an easy goal. Getzlaf stared blankly at the ice in disbelief when Garon opened his glove with the puck inside.

"Sometimes your team needs a big save like that to stay in the game," Garon said. "That's why I'm here, to make the saves that can make a difference."

aportzline@dispatch.com

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