Week 18 Power Rankings - Mase still the story

TSN.ca
Rank: 20 (-8)
Losing their star goalie, combined with one regulation win in the last ten games, results in a massive drop for the Jackets.

ColumbusDispatch.com
Rank: 18 (-4)
Dan LaCosta (28 saves) and Christian Backman (first goal in 40 games) play starring roles in a win over San Jose. Hard to believe.

Sportsnet.ca
Rank: 20 (unchanged)
Steve Mason did his best to play through a bout of mono, but was finally put on injured reserve.

Yahoo.com
Rank: 21 (-3)
While it looks like long-term goaltending is in good hands, and the team definitely has an identity under coach Ken Hitchcock, the challenge continues to fill the roster with players who are willing to play a selfless, two-way system. Tweaks are in order on defense, and there’s always that search for a top-line center.

ESPN.com
Rank: 21 (-2)
Super rookie goalie Steve Mason's stint on injured reserve will be a good test for the rest of the Blue Jackets. So far, so good after Saturday's 3-2 overtime victory over the Sharks.

CBSSports.com
Rank: 17 (-2)
The playoffs would be a first for this team. So would being a buyer at the deadline.

CBC.ca
Rank: 20 (-4)
If Mason's out for long, they're done.

TheHockeyNews.com
Rank: 19 (-4)
Do the Jackets' playoff hopes go on the shelf with Steve Mason going on the IR?

CNNSI.com
Rank: 10 (unchanged)
So, who else ya got down on the farm? One night after a listless effort against the very beatable Pens, the Jackets called on minor leaguer Dan Lacosta to man the pipes. The fourth-stringer allowed just two goals in his first start to lead them to an improbable OT win over the conference-leading

FoxSports.com
Rank: 17 (-3)
(.519) Columbus only managed one win in three games in Week 18. The Blue Jackets' goaltenders gave up eight goals to the opposition on only 47 shots.

META-SCORE: 18.3 (Last week 15.5)

The Jackets take an anticipated slide in this week's power rankings after losing 3 straight with just about every publication commenting on Mase/Mono/IR.

Most of the rankings included the 3-2 win against the Sharks but all of them have yet to include the shutout over the Avalanche on Tuesday. If the boys have a good weekend here against Detroit and Carolina expect a big climb next week.

-LTL