Flashback to a disjointed 4-1 loss at home to the Predators on Oct. 19. The Rangers were booed off the ice by impatient fans. They were back to 2-2-0 with a big road trip on the horizon.

Two weeks later, they returned with a perfect road trip to move into the top spot in the Metropolitan Division. Indeed, the Rangers went 5-0 on a challenging Northwestern swing that included stops at Seattle, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver before running the table in Monday night’s exciting 3-2 overtime win over Winnipeg.

Related: Rangers Outlast The Canucks Thanks to Shesterkin’s Clutch Saves in Overtime

Two days following an emotional 5-4 overtime win over the Canucks, the Rangers fought back in the third period to tie the Jets on a Chris Kreider tip-in for a power-play goal. Igor Shesterkin then supplied the clutch goaltending by robbing Cole Perfetti of the go-ahead goal late in regulation to push the game to overtime.

Panarin Sets Up Zibanejad For Winner

If there’s been one constant in the early going, it’s been the play of Artemi Panarin. The Rangers’ leading scorer continued his torrid start by scoring his fifth goal and setting up Mika Zibanejad for the overtime winner.

On a play started by K’Andre Miller, who’s picked it up following a slow start, he dropped the puck for Panarin. He then drew the Jets’ attention before sending a pass across for a quick Zibanejad one-timer from the left circle that beat Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck with only 26 seconds left in overtime.

That gave Zibanejad goals in back-to-back games. Previously, he didn’t have one in his first seven games. Sometimes, getting one goal is all it takes for a player to get back on track. That’s a positive sign. He’ll look to keep it going when the Hurricanes visit MSG on Thursday.

Related: Panarin Rewards Laviolette’s Faith With A Dominant Performance In Rangers’ Win Over Kraken

As for Panarin, he extended his point streak to nine straight. He celebrated his 32nd birthday in style by adding a goal and two helpers – hiking his point total to 15 (5-10-15). It’s all working for the Bread Man. His more aggressive shoot first mindset has been front and center during the Rangers’ 7-2-0 start. He leads them with four even strength goals, 10 assists and 33 shots-on-goal.

It’s Miller Time

Entering his fourth season, Miller signed a two-year contract worth $7.74 million. With an average cap hit of $3.872 million comes increased expectations. So far, the 23-year-old defenseman has been good in the Rangers’ first nine games.

After a tough start that included a bad game against Nashville, Miller has picked it up considerably. On the five-game road trip, he played more consistently by defending better and getting more involved offensively.

It was indeed Miller time. In the five games (all wins), he had a goal and five assists for six points with a plus-six rating. In last night’s win, he tallied two assists. He helped set up Panarin in the first period. With the game up for grabs in an overtime mostly controlled by the Jets, Miller helped create the winner by getting the puck to Panarin, who then set up Zibanejad.

Even better, Miller and partner Jacob Trouba are rounding into form. They’re counted on by the coaching staff to draw the tough assignments at even strength. Both are getting it done. Another good sign for the Rangers.

Trocheck Continues Faceoff Dominance

One player who’s flown under the radar so far is Vincent Trocheck. Playing a different role under Rangers’ coach Peter Laviolette, he’s centering the third line that comprises Will Cuylle and Blake Wheeler. While he’s still asked to contribute offensively, the 30-year-old Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native is being relied on to win faceoffs. An area he’s excelled at.

In Monday’s win, Trocheck won 15 of 23 faceoffs for a 65.2 percent success rate. Laviolette uses him for key draws in both the offensive and defensive zone. On the power play, Trocheck went 3 for 5 on the five-on-four. He also took eight defensive draws, finishing 5 and 3. He went a perfect 6 for 6 in the neutral zone at five-on-five.

So far, Trocheck has won 61.8 percent of faceoffs in nine games. He’s gone 102 and 63. He’s taken the most draws on the Rangers. His success helps them win hockey games.

Kreider Clutch

With the Rangers trailing by a goal with less than seven minutes remaining in the third period, Kreider delivered in the clutch on the power play.

After Will Cuylle drew a boarding minor on Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon, Adam Fox took a Panarin feed and passed down low for a Kreider tip-in that tied the contest with 6:48 left. It was Kreider’s team-leading sixth goal. He also leads them with four power-play goals.

If there’s one area he can be counted on, it’s on the man-advantage. Kreider continues to make a living in front of the net. Possessing some of the best hands in the game, he remains a consistent force at scoring on deflections. It’s a skill that should be appreciated. He works hard at it, which is why he’s successful.

Foxy Returns

A player the Rangers count on for offense is Fox. The anchor of the blue line had an impact on the perfect five-game road trip. The returns were good.

In five games, Fox had two goals with four assists for six points. That included a pair of power-play goals in wins over the Oilers and Canucks. Both were scored in close with Fox in a good position to bury each. It was a different wrinkle.

Credit assistant coach Michael Peca. He’s done a good job so far with the Rangers’ power-play. They rank second in the NHL on the power-play, converting at a 34.4 percent rate (11-for-32).

Fox is tied with the Canucks’ Quinn Hughes for first in scoring among defensemen with 11 points (3-8-11) this season. He’ll look to continue that trend when the Rangers host the Hurricanes on Thursday night.

What’s Ahead

After finishing October with a 7-2-0 record, the Rangers begin November tomorrow night at home with Carolina visiting. It should be a good litmus test to see where they are. The Hurricanes have won three in a row to turn around a slow start. They bring a 6-4-0 record into play.

Following the home game, the Rangers will visit the Wild on Saturday night. They then return home for a three-game homestand, which begins next Tuesday, November 7, against the Red Wings. The Wild pay a visit on 11/9. The Rangers conclude the homestand with a game against the Blue Jackets on 11/12.

A four-game road trip doesn’t start until 11/18 at the Devils. The Rangers will also visit the Stars, Penguins, and Flyers. They conclude November with three home games versus the Bruins, Sabres, and Red Wings.