Blue Jackets rookie goaltender Steve Mason could return to the ice on Friday after battling mononucleosis and being placed on the injured reserve. "Mase's energy level was higher than it's been in a while," coach Ken Hitchcock said after a practice session on Monday. "That's a really good sign. "We're going to get him through the next couple of days here, and the plan is to play him on Friday (vs. Detroit) if everything keeps going now in the right direction."