Starting this week, we will take a look at some of our preseason predictions about some of the top players in the NHL. We did a series of articles that were titled the  “Versus Series” where we compared two top players in a position and offered our suggestions as to who you might want to select in your fantasy draft.

Most players have performed up to the standards that we would expect, while others have clearly fallen flat on their faces. It’s a chance for us to look back at our words and ask: “What were we thinking?!?”

For the first “Versus Rewind,” we’ll examine the preseason comparison of reigning Vezina Trophy winner Henrik Lundqvist, versus reigning Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup winner Jonathan Quick. Way back before there was even a lockout, featured sportswriter Ian Barry tackled the two net minders and put them side-to-side.

When faced with the task of choosing one of the two elite goalies in the league, it’s hard to think that there is a bad choice on the table. That being said, there was certainly a huge opportunity for a post-lockout letdown for each. An extended Stanley Cup hangover for Quick and the Los Angeles Kings seemed to trump the extended recovery from offseason back surgery; and both Quick and the Kings struggled early.

The same might be said of Lundqvist, minus the back surgery; as the dashing Swede might have been spending some extra time admiring his trophy room instead of honing his craft. The New York Rangers and their stud goalie were the sexy favorites to contend in the Eastern Conference after plucking Rick Nash from the Columbus Blue Jackets last summer. Lundqvist and the Rangers have been consistently inconsistent at the halfway point of this shortened season.

Both Lundqvist and Quick have seemed to find their form lately, but it might be too late to consider either for any postseason accolades. Barring an incredible string of top-shelf play, there will be at least two new names among the Vezina finalists. Here is a side by side comparison of the two:
 

They say the numbers don’t lie. Slight edge to Lundqvist in the battle of the underachievers .These two goaltenders are the best of the best, but those stat lines have them treading in mediocrity. Hopefully you didn’t use your first-round pick on one of these two guys. If you did, rest assured; the numbers are improving, slowly but surely.