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Touted NHL rookies Johnny Gaudreau, Jonathan Drouin put on a show

Calgary's Johnny Gaudreau skates against the Lightning on Tuesday.  (Sergei Belski, USA TODAY Sports)

Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau skates against the Lightning on Tuesday. (Sergei Belski, USA TODAY Sports)

Before the season, a meeting between Johnny Gaudreau and Jonathan Drouin would have been considered an early showdown for rookie of the year.

But Tampa Bay’s Drouin broke his thumb in rookie camp and Calgary’s Gaudreau got off to a slow start, putting them behind in Calder Trophy consideration.

Drouin made his NHL debut on Monday and Gaudreau picked up his first points on Saturday. Tuesday, they showed why they’re so touted.

First, Gaudreau skated through the Lightning defense to set up Dennis Wideman for the go-ahead goal.

Later, Drouin picked up his first NHL point, making a great backhand pass through traffic to Jason Garrison, whose shot led to a Valtteri Filppula goal.

Drouin was robbed  by Flames goalie Karri Ramo on a 2-on-0 break in overtime before Tampa’s Ondrej Palat won the game a few shifts later.

Gaudreau is four points and Drouin is six behind rookie leader Tanner Pearson of the Los Angeles Kings. Still plenty of time to get back in the race.

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