Rookie Steve Mason may be the leading candidate to win the Calder Memorial Trophy. But why stop there?

At this rate, Mason might be in the Vezina Trophy conversation by the end of the season.

Mason had 24 saves in the Blue Jackets' 2-0 win over Los Angeles on Monday in Staples Center, earning his fourth shutout of the season.

Mason, a 20-year-old rookie, is putting up gaudy numbers. His 1.78 goals-against average leads the NHL, and he's tied for second with a .935 save percentage. Only Vancouver's Roberto Luongo has more shutouts (five) than Mason.

Put another way: The Blue Jackets are 11-7-1 when Mason plays, 5-9-3 when he doesn't.

BLUE JACKETS 2, KINGS 0: The Blue Jackets finally turned the tables on the Kings after twice being shutout by Los Angeles this season. Kris Russell scored his second goal of the season late in the second period, and Rick Nash added an empty-net goal with 1:15 remaining. Rookie goaltender Steve Mason had 24 saves for his fourth shutout of the season.