Who have you been kissin'???

The jackets are in trouble.

Around the start of the new year, the jackets endured a rash of injuries that they were able to stay afloat. 7 regulars were out of the lineup, but the kids and the role players stood strong and we weathered the storm largely because of strong defensive play and league leading goaltending.

Last week, however, the jackets received some of the worse news of the season since Brassard was deemed out for 6 months. Young Steve Mason has been diagnosed with mononucleosis--also known as 'the kissing disease'.

He felt tired, but most just thought it was due to his workload and his first NHL season. It wasn't until his fatigue was still a factor only one game after the all-star break did the jackets suspect it could be something more. Sure enough, mono.

Because our goaltending situation was already difficult with Leclaire being on the long term injured reserve list, a need for a reliable backup became paramount. The only problem was, that there were no NHL goalies to be had. So when Wade Dublewicz was signed by the Islanders and the jackets nabbed him on re-entry waivers. The only problem with 'Dubi' is that he is very small, so small, in fact that he can practically skate under the crossbar without ducking, AND that he was let go from his russian league contract for...well, kind of sucking. We were desperate so we got him, never once thinking we would encounter the difficulties that we are now faced with.

Now that it is apparent that Mason is entering his full-blown mono-related symptoms, Dubi has to be the guy and last night vs. the Pens, we all saw why he couldn't cut it in the Russian league.

Today, however, Dubi showed up to the rink looking terrible and had the flu. We are back to our 4th string goalie in the net vs. a very high powered San Jose Sharks team. Yes sis, the 33 minuter is back. (Has played all of 33 minutes in the NHL). Dan Lacosta will play tonight.

What a shame...the jackets have, no doubt, pissed away too many points to mention, been screwed out of at least 2 by the league, but they have stayed right in the hunt for their first playoff birth regardless.

Finally we get a bright spot in Steve Mason and he kisses one too many pretty girls and now he can't stay awake.

I am not a religious person to say the least but I can't help but to feel tested in a time like this. At this point, all you can hope is that the team, yet again, finds a way to stay in the hunt until Mason gets his strength back. In the meantime, I am still going to cheer hard and hope for the best. As this season has proven already: anything can happen.