Former New York Rangers Teammates Push Jets Into The Second-Round of the NHL Playoffs

Neither Neal Pionk nor Vladislav Namestnikov ever had a shot to shine on Broadway. Thought of as depth pieces in the Rangers lineup, their destined reunion wouldn't happen until Namestikov arrived in Winnipeg, and the two dazzled with their skills in Game 7.

The two would combine for a storybook finish in a 4-3 OT win against the St. Louis Blues in Game 7.

With top-line Center Mark Scheifele out, and defenseman Josh Morrissey out, the team neeeds players with the next-man-up mentality.

Both of those players were Pionk and Namestikov.

Pionk wouldn't only play a career-high of 46:15 TOI against the Blues, he'd also lend a hand on three goals that night against the Montgomery-led foes.

He'd also lend a hand on Vladislav Namestnikov's goal at 18:32 in the third period, with an extra attack, as goalie Connor Hellebuyck was pulled.

Pionk was part of the deal which sent him to the Winnipeg Jets in 2019 in return for Jacob Trouba. A deal that has gone well for the Jets, who have rewarded him handsomely with a 6-year, $42 million contract.

Vladislav Namestnikov showed up big in Game 7 for the Jets, as he'd play a total of 25 minutes TOI, with seven shot attempts, three of those on goal, along with three hits.

His shot from the right circle was redirected from a Blues player's stick and gave Perfetti the chance to score a goal, once it eluded Jordan Binnington's grasp.

Both players were Blueshirts at the beginning of the New York Rangers rebuild in 2019, and were teammates for two years. Neither would see the playoffs with the Rangers as Pionk was deal to Winnipeg, and Namestnikov would be traded to the Ottawa Senators during the 2019-2020 season.

Both players have shown excellence in trying times, and it looks as if they're more than just depth pieces in a lineup.