"Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason could be excused for being a bit star struck last night in the presence of boyhood hero Martin Brodeur.

His teammates should receive no such pass.

While Mason played against his idol, the Blue Jackets simply stood idle after the first period, and the New Jersey Devils cruised to a 6-3 win before 14,202 fans in the Prudential Center.

The Devils scored four second-period goals, spoiling Mason's first meeting against the goaltender he most admires. They also had three power-play goals, created traffic in front of Mason and took advantage of Blue Jackets defensive breakdowns.

"It is disappointing, but it was more disappointing because we lost the game," Mason said of his encounter with Brodeur. "It wasn't me just playing against him. It was the Blue Jackets against the Devils, and we didn't play well tonight."

If there's any consolation, Mason was party to another Brodeur milestone - his eighth 40-win season, far and away the most in NHL history."