Player of the Week - March 30

The choice for The Hockey News’ player of the week for March 23 to 29, 2009 was especially tough this week with a number of top-notch performances from players around the league.

The Sedin Bros., for instance, combined for seven goals, 17 points, were plus-12 and had three game winners in four games as Vancouver pushed Calgary for first in the Northwest. And Cam Ward posted a 3-0-0 mark with 1.32 goals-against average and .957 save percentage as Carolina makes a run for home ice in the post-season’s first round.

But with St. Louis finding itself in a playoff position Monday morning, we had to go with Blues goaltender Chris Mason, 32, who went 4-0-0 last week with a 1.72 GAA, .930 save percentage and a shutout.

The goal-less game came Tuesday against Los Angeles in a 22-save 4-0 victory. The Northwest-leading Canucks then visited the Blues Thursday and went home with 4-2 loss, led by Mason’s made 21-save effort.

St. Louis’ week ended with a home-and-home against Central-division rival Columbus, another playoff-bound team. Game 1 Saturday in St. Louis saw the Blues come away with a 4-3 victory, backstopped by Mason’s 23 saves. The teams were back on the ice about 18 hours later for Game 2 Sunday in Columbus. Mason made 26 saves en route to a 5-2 victory.