Dubie starts in Pittsburgh

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Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said that Wade Dubielewicz will make his first start on Friday in Pittsburgh.

Rookie Steve Mason, who's suffering from mono, did not practice today. If he misses Thursday's practice he will not make the trip to Pittsburgh.Dubielewicz had a shaky debut allowing four goals on 23 shots in relief of Mason on Saturday night against Dallas.

Hitchcock did not announce a starter for Saturday's game. Mason's condition has not worsened, the coach said, but he concedes the rookie has not been sharp.

 

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Methot Out

Defenseman Marc Methot will not be on the trip to Pittsburgh because of the flu, according to Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock.

Looks like Rostislav Klesla will move up to the second pair with Fedor Tyutin, and either Ole-Kristian Tollefsen or Christian Backman will go in on the third pair with Kris Russell.

A couple of other things:


-- The Blue Jackets are in the market for another goaltender. Not sure at what level and not sure what entirely this means. I have a call into GM Scott Howson as I type this. Mason will not fly with the club to Pittsburgh. Last I heard, he's still considered a possibility to start on Saturday vs. San Jose. The Jackets are likely to recall Dan LaCosta from minor-league Syracuse on an emergency basis on Friday to serve as Dubielewicz's back-up vs. the Penguins. We'll update this as needed later tonight.