X-rays on the hands of defenseman Fedor Tyutin and center Derick Brassard showed bad bruises but no broken bones, and both are expected to play Wednesday when the Blue Jackets play host to San Jose.

"They're both pretty sore," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We might have to give those guys the day off (from practice today), but we should have them on Wednesday, which is really good news."

Tyutin was struck in the hand by a puck fired by Washington defenseman Mike Greene during the third period of the Blue Jackets' 5-4 overtime win over the Capitals on Sunday. He missed the last half of the third period.

When asked if Tyutin was in too much pain or simply couldn't grip the stick, Hitchcock replied: "Both."

The same was almost true for Brassard, who was slashed late in the third period by Mike Knuble.

Brassard returned to play, however, and assisted on Raffi Torres' game-tying goal with 22.6 seconds remaining. He was in obvious pain and admitted later that he could barely hang on to his stick.

"Sometimes you have to do things you are not comfortable doing," Brassard said.

Cleaning it up

The Blue Jackets have allowed seven goals the past two games -- a shootout loss to Pittsburgh and an OT win over Washington -- but Hitchcock has seen positive signs, especially compared to the previous five games.

First off is the play of goaltender Steve Mason.

"To me, that's the biggest positive," Hitchcock said. "He's really playing well right now."

Mason stopped 61 of 68 shots (.897 save percentage) against the Penguins and Capitals, but he looked bigger in the net and appeared more confident, like he was reacting to pucks rather than guessing.

In his previous four outings, Mason stopped only 86 of 106 shots (.811).

The second improvement for the Blue Jackets has been their puck management -- fewer turnovers in the defensive zone and better, more cohesive play between forwards and defensemen.

"We're trying to get better with our turnovers and with our gap between the forwards and the defense," Hitchcock said. "It's definitely better than it was, but we go well at times and then we don't go well at other times.

"We're trying to get to the point where it's habit."

Slap shots

Defenseman Mike Commodore (charley horse) was feeling better and should play Wednesday. Left winger Nikita Filatov (bruised back) is doubtful for Wednesday. Mason will start on Wednesday vs. San Jose, Hitchcock said, with Garon scheduled to make his third start of the season on Thursday in Atlanta. The Blue Jackets did not practice yesterday. Prospect winger Tomas Kubalik, a fifth-round pick (No. 135 overall) in 2008, had a memorable night Friday. Playing for Victoriaville in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Kubalik had an eight-point game -- one goal, seven assists -- against Rouyn-Noranda.

aportzline@dispatch.com