For the second time this season, Steve Mason has been diagnosed with a concussion, less than two months after the Winnipeg Jets backup goaltender was sidelined with his first.
The Jets returned to practice on Friday coming off their bye week, with Michael Hutchinson up with the main group having been recalled from AHL Manitoba.
Following practice, head coach Paul Maurice revealed to reporters that Mason, who sustained a concussion Nov. 25 in a game against the San Jose Sharks, will be out again with his second diagnosed concussion of the season.
"It's been a real challenge with his injuries, and then the amount of time he's been out," Maurice said. "We can rely on the fact going into it he's had some experience with it, if there's a positive in that, so he knows how this works. What to look for and what to take care of.
"For a veteran goalie, it's one game. You get in one game, and you feel good, and then you're right back to where you were, but it's a challenge for him for sure."
🎥 Paul Maurice provides an update on Adam Lowry, Shawn Matthias, Brandon Tanev, Mark Scheifele, and more following this afternoon's practice. pic.twitter.com/0zuZ5zroRo
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) January 19, 2018
Maurice said the concussion was sustained during a morning skate, but that Mason didn't start feeling the symptoms until a few days after, at which point he was tested.
"I don't know that you're more cautious (because it's his second concussion. You're certainly cautious on all of them," Maurice said. "We're certainly waiting for a couple of really good days before you start pushing this one too fast."
Hutchinson has gone 14-2-1 in the AHL this season with a .942 save-percentage, tops in the American League.
"We'll use (Hutchinson) the same way the same we'd consider using (Mason) at this point," Maurice said. "We'll look at the (Vancouver) game because it's a back-to-back, but it's a different kind because it's a day-and-a-half, so that leaves a little bit more of a door open."
The Jets play their first game coming off their bye Saturday against the Calgary Flames. Mason is 3-6-1 this season with an .897 save-percentage.