Duchene vs. Tavares

Tonight will be the first and only time this season that the top 2 forwards taken in the 09 draft will face each other. Matt Duchene and number 1 pick John Tavares go head to head tonight when the New York Islanders make a rare visit to Denver to take on the Avs.

Should be an interesting matchup between the skilled 18 year olds. Tavares is leading all rookies in goals scored and points but right behind him is Matt Duchene. Tavares is at 28 points on the season and Duchene just a point behind with 27. Both players are headed in opposite directions as Tavares has just 1 goal in his last 11 games while Duchene has been on fire with 17 points over his last 18 games.

Andy will be in net tonight for the Avs while the Isles will go with longtime division rival Dwayne Roloson. Backing up Roloson for the 1st time will be former number 1 pick Rick DiPietro. Hopefully the Avs will get to face him at some point tonight.