Coach Ken Hitchcock did not take issue with goaltender Steve Mason's critical assessment of the Blue Jackets' play, culminating in a 9-1 loss Wednesday to the Detroit Red Wings.

Hitchcock did, however, think Mason misspoke in saying only one of eight Red Wings' shots that beat him was a "stoppable puck."

"I'd like my goalie to think he could stop every shot," Hitchcock said.

Mason, who allowed eight goals on 35 shots against the Red Wings, will serve as the backup to Mathieu Garon tonight when the Blue Jackets play the Anaheim Ducks in Nationwide Arena.

After the worst outing of his brief career, Mason did not mask his disappointment with the team's defensive struggles. The Jackets are 27th in the NHL in goals-against average (3.59).

Mason has posted a 3.67 GAA during an uneven start to his second season. He has surrendered six or more goals three times in 14 starts after not having it occur in his NHL Rookie of the Year season.

"We have a lot of cleaning up to do," Mason said after the Red Wings game. "There were poor choices, turnovers, not winning board battles -- stuff we've been talking about all year. The Red Wings highlighted those for us."

Hitchcock said Mason's analysis rings true, but goaltenders coach Dave Rook wishes the 21-year-old was a "little less direct." Rook spoke to him about his remarks.

"He didn't say it to be malicious or to rat anybody out," Rook said. "He cares very deeply, but sometimes he has to learn the proper time to voice it."

Rook concurred with Hitchcock that a goalie should believe almost every shot is stoppable. He also conceded Mason was at fault only on the eighth goal.

Mason said the Blue Jackets were bad against the Red Wings "from my position out." He's one of the few players in the locker room not shy about speaking his mind when the team doesn't perform to expectations.

"There is no sense in beating around the bush, whether I'm making a mistake or someone else is making a mistake," Mason said.

"I think it's something you need. There is no sense in hiding your feelings. This is a team atmosphere. You are only trying to make everybody better by making everybody accountable."

Slap shots

Winger Raffi Torres could miss at least a week after getting hit in the mouth with a deflected puck Wednesday. The puck knocked out several teeth and crushed the area that connects the teeth to the upper jaw bone. Center Sammy Pahlsson will miss the game against the Ducks after having a bursa sac removed from his elbow. Winger Kristian Huselius (shoulder strain) is expected to return to the lineup.

treed@dispatch.com