Until further notice, the Blue Jackets' go-to goaltender is rookie Steve Mason.

Coach Ken Hitchcock said yesterday that Mason, off to a 3-0 start in his NHL career, will start Wednesday when the Blue Jackets play host to the Phoenix Coyotes in Nationwide Arena.

"With Mason's play these last three games, he's certainly giving everybody in this organization some strong food for thought, right across the board," Hitchcock said.

Mason made 22 saves Saturday in the Blue Jackets' 3-1 victory over Calgary, the Jackets' third straight win and the sixth straight game in which they earned at least a point.

He's expected to be one of the NHL's three stars of the week when the awards are announced today.

"It's been unbelievable," Mason said. "I couldn't ask for a better start.

"Hopefully, I've given management a reason to keep me around a little longer."

The decision to go with Mason is an easy one, given Fredrik Norrena's struggles.

But what happens when Pascal Leclaire returns from an ankle injury? Leclaire will join the Blue Jackets for practice today, Hitchcock said.

"Our feeling is, we'd like to give Leclaire at least three or four practices before he's ready to go," Hitchcock said. "Provided there are no setbacks."

There's a chance the Blue Jackets could keep three goaltenders on the roster when Leclaire is activated from injured reserve.

"It's not a relevant discussion right now," Hitchcock said. "Not until Pazzy gets back."

Mason has been considered the Blue Jackets' goaltender of the future for some time now.

But nobody expected the future to arrive this November.

He has allowed three even-strength goals, stopping 66 of 69 shots (.957 save percentage) during five-on-five play. His first period post-to-post save against Calgary's Todd Bertuzzi was Roberto Luongo-esque.

"It's unreal," defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen said. "The way he's playing right now, the confidence we have in him it's unreal."

The emergence of Mason means the Blue Jackets have two of the NHL's top four rookie scorers -- Derick Brassard has 13 points and Jake Voracek nine -- and the league's top-ranked rookie goaltender.

A different look

Last week, Hitchcock termed the Blue Jackets an "edge-of-the-seat" hockey club.

On Saturday, with weary legs and facing a tough Flames club, the Jackets played a smart, efficient game, especially in the third period.

It was lean-back-in-your-chair-and-relax hockey, and Hitchcock was delighted.

"We've worked our way back in the race now," Hitchcock said. "It's only 15 games, but it's the way we're playing.

"We've been able to win in a number of different settings, with a number of different styles. That game on Saturday, we just ground it out."

A day of rest

After playing four games in six nights, the Blue Jackets had a day off yesterday.

"We've put a lot into this," Hitchcock said. "The day off couldn't have come at a better time."

Hitchcock indicated that winger Kristian Huselius (foot), defenseman Rostislav Klesla (wrist) and possibly veterans Rick Nash, Fredrik Modin and Raffi Torres would be held out of practice today, as well.

"Our focus will be on having a full-go practice on Tuesday," Hitchcock said.

Huselius, who missed Saturday's game against Calgary, was feeling better yesterday.

Picard demoted

The Blue Jackets sent left winger Alexandre Picard to minor-league Syracuse yesterday, two days after he cleared waivers.

Picard had no points and 22 penalty minutes in six games, but he was a healthy scratch in the past seven games after a slew of Blue Jackets forwards returned to health.

Slap shots

Defenseman Jan Hejda has a plus-7 rating during the Blue Jackets' six-game point streak. The six-game point streak is the longest since a 5-0-1 stretch between Oct. 23 and Nov. 4 last season.

aportzline@dispatch.com