"Blue Jackets equipment manager Tim LeRoy is a resourceful individual. But if he attached a couple of small bicycle mirrors to the helmet of goaltender Steve Mason, the NHL might take a dim view of his handiwork.

So Mason must deal with the traffic behind him the old-fashion way, practice and more practice.

He was one of the few Jackets who participated in the morning skate yesterday in the Bell Centre. The others on the ice were there to help the struggling second-year goaltender.

The coaching staff is trying to get Mason more comfortable in tracking pucks behind his net. The New York Rangers had success against Mason on Monday with plays that developed behind the goal line and led to scoring chances out front. Marian Gaborik beat him with a stuff shot, and Sean Avery scored on a wraparound attempt in the Rangers' 7-4 win in Madison Square Garden.

"Things happen up here so much quicker," Mason said. "The Rangers might have been the quickest team we have seen. The play was back and forth, back and forth, and that's a tough spot for any goaltender, having the play behind you."

A butterfly-style goalie, Mason concedes he has a tendency to drop to his knees too quickly with the puck behind the net, and it makes it difficult for him to go post to post with speed and balance.

A season after earning NHL Rookie of the Year honors, Mason ranks second to last in save percentage (.885) and goals-against average (3.59).

"I'm trying to be patient and stay on my feet as long as I can," Mason said. "These are the things you learn over time."

Coach Ken Hitchcock said the problem can be common for players jumping from junior hockey to the NHL, as Mason did last season."