"The Penguins' Sidney Crosby knows, much better than most, what John Tavares of the New York Islanders is going through this winter.

Both broke into the NHL as teenagers and as the centerpiece of a youth movement designed to rejuvenate their respective franchises.

And from what Crosby has seen of Tavares, who will lead the Islanders into Mellon Arena tonight for a game against the Penguins, he believes Tavares is up to the challenges before him.

"He's got a great shot," Crosby said Tuesday. "He sees the ice really well. He's big. He's strong. [With] his work ethic, and seeing how much he cares, he's only going to get better."

Tavares entered the Islanders' game Tuesday night against Nashville at Nassau Coliseum with 17 goals and 16 assists in 58 games, good for third place on the team and second in the NHL rookie scoring race. But after an outstanding start, he has struggled in recent weeks, with no goals and two assists in his previous nine games before facing the Predators.

Crosby can understand that, too, given that Tavares is experiencing the grind of an 82-game NHL schedule for the first time.

"This is a really tough time of year," Crosby said. "Looking back at my rookie year, I probably was really fortunate to have the Olympic break.

"I've always thought February is maybe your most grueling month. You're a little more tired in February, and have to kind of get over that hump before [the stretch drive and playoffs], and the play itself picks up, so you have to raise your game."