"Just as Carmelo Anthony, the No. 3 NBA draft pick in 2003, will always view No. 1 pick LeBron James, Matt Duchene likely will feel toward the New York Islanders' John Tavares. Duchene and Tavares are this year's Nos. 3 and 1 NHL picks, respectively.

These are friendly feuds — Anthony-James, Duchene-Tavares — and one will be on display tonight at the Pepsi Center when Duchene, the Avalanche's rookie center, plays his first NHL game against Tavares and the Islanders. But don't expect any trash talking.

"He's a buddy of mine," Duchene said. "We spent a lot of time together at the draft last summer, and he's a good guy. But of course I want to beat him and help our team get two big points."

Duchene will have something to show Tavares if they meet before the game: the NHL rookie of the month award, for December. Duchene, 18, received the honor Tuesday, after leading all rookies with 13 points (five goals) in 14 games.

"I didn't even know there was an award for that. Maybe I'll go take myself out to lunch to celebrate," Duchene said. "But it's a nice honor. I have my teammates to thank for it."

Duchene enters tonight's contest one point behind Tavares (28-27) in the overall NHL rookie scoring race. Tavares may not be the second coming of Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin, but he certainly hasn't been a bust. He has been a big part of the Islanders' climb back toward respectability and is on the mind of Avs coach Joe Sacco.

"They have a heralded player in Tavares, as we have some of our own here in Colorado, and it should make for an exciting game," Sacco said. "Both teams are similar in that they have a lot of young players in their lineups."

Duchene's production has been more consistent since he has adjusted mentally to the NHL game. He has added more wrinkles to his offensive game, especially a curl-back move that creates more space between him and defenders off the rush.

"I was frustrated, but I wasn't down on myself," Duchene said after an early-season scoring slump. "I still had confidence in what I could do, but it's just a learning curve. You find more of a balance between your game and playing exactly where you should be positionally. You're still playing the system, still playing honest hockey, but you're also taking what the game gives you at the same time. Once you learn that part of it, you can really go from there.""