If the first week without Adam Fox was a test, then the New York Rangers passed with flying colors. After getting losing badly to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 29, the Rangers went 2-0-2 against quality opposition that included the Dallas Stars (3-2 overtime win), Ottawa Senators (4-2 win in regulation), Colorado Avalanche (3-2 overtime loss), and the Vegas Golden Knights (3-2 overtime loss).

Even in the tough OT defeats at home on the weekend, the Rangers did well in a back-to-back situation against the league-leading Avalanche and Golden Knights, who had a bit more left to come from behind for a 3-2 win in extras at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night.

A day after Artemi Panarin gave them a point by getting the game-tying goal with only 42 seconds left in regulation against the Avalanche, the Rangers had the tables turned against them when the Knights took advantage of a controversial call from referee Chris Lee to tie the game with 52 seconds remaining.

Nursing a one-goal lead thanks on the strength of a second period go-ahead goal from Alexis Lafreniere, who played one of his best games of the season, the Rangers were in a good position to close out what would’ve been a hard fought victory against one of the NHL’s toughest teams.

Despite the fresher Knights carrying much of the play in a defensive-minded third period, the Rangers had done a good job limiting most of their shots to the outside. Jonathan Quick made the saves, including stopping Ivan Barbashev on a breakaway.

But with play still going on in the neutral zone, it suddenly was blown dead by Lee. Usually, when that occurs, it’s due to a bench minor for too many men on the ice. Instead, he decided to give Will Borgen and Brett Howden matching roughing minors with 1:58 left in the third period.

As soon as he made the unpopular call, which puzzled several players on the Rangers bench, Mike Sullivan fumed at Lee because it created more open ice for Vegas. Instead of a six-on-five with Carter Hart pulled, it became a five-on-four advantage, which was essentially a power play for the Golden Knights.

Not only did it hurt the Rangers, who had one less skater on the ice to protect a one-goal lead. But it also took one of their most dependable players off. There’s little doubt that Sullivan probably would’ve had Borgen out with Vladislav Gavrikov late.

Instead, he stuck with Gavrikov and Braden Schneider, who’s stepped it up since Fox went down. Schneider was elevated to the top pair, leaving Borgen to stick with partner Carson Soucy. Schneider had played a strong game, which included a nice open ice hit at center ice. The bigger issue was it limited the coaching staff to only using two forwards. It was Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller, who were out for the crushing tying goal.

With less than a minute to go, Quick made consecutive stops on Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, but he was unable to get Tomas Hertl’s backhand that tied it at 19:08. Despite making some big-time stops in his first start since Nov. 22, his best wasn’t good enough to earn his first win in exactly a month. What was astonishing is how well the affable 39-year-old future Hall of Famer played after Howden scored just 36 seconds in. It speaks to how hard he competes, which is the biggest reason he’s had such a great career.

Due to both Borgen and Howden still serving the remaining two seconds of their penalties, overtime started with four-on-four. Once both players returned and changed at their benches, the Rangers and Knights played almost exclusively with four aside in a very tactical extra session that lacked excitement. Nothing really happened. If you liked tight checking and good defense, that’s exactly what you got.

Mike Zibanejad was robbed of the winner by Hart, who was able to cover up the puck for the only stoppage with less than 17 seconds remaining. That meant three-on-three for the first time in overtime. Even with the faceoff inside the Vegas zone, it didn’t prevent Howden and Shea Theodore from combining on a set play to spring Eichel for a breakaway which he converted on a backhand, forehand deke to win the game late.

It was a frustrating way to lose an extra point. Especially due to how it happened. Following a Howden win, Theodore wisely sent a bank pass off the side boards that allowed the faster Eichel to get behind Matthew Robertson for the overtime winner. Despite being on his weak side, Robertson tried to catch Eichel, but it was a mismatch.

The bigger question is why he was sent out for an offensive draw on his weaker side. Sullivan could’ve gone with Schneider or even rookie Scott Morrow, who had a good game. A right defenseman would’ve made more sense at that point. At the very least, they could’ve taken it to a shootout.

If there was a player who could’ve prevented Eichel from getting behind, it was Panarin. However, he stopped skating which allowed Eichel to take full advantage and win the game with a great finish. Panarin has to have better awareness in that situation. Especially after Zibanejad lost the draw. Panarin and Zibanejad would’ve been likely shooters if it went to the skill competition. Instead, they never got there.

Overall, the Rangers have to be pleased with where they currently are without one of their best players. Even though they’ve played 31 games, they’re right where they need to be in a crowded division race.

They’re up to 34 points, which has them in the wildcard for now. That’s only a point up on three teams, and three on most of the pack that includes the defending champion Florida Panthers, who defeated the New York Islanders to win their second straight. Anything can happen this season.

For the Rangers, they want to keep playing the way they have been. With more of an emphasis on team defense, their play has improved overall. They’re still not scoring much on home ice, but they went up against three of the West’s best and came away with four out of six points.

If they can take the powerful Avalanche to overtime, thanks in large part to Igor Shesterkin (39 saves), it says a lot about where they are. It took another great goal from Nathan MacKinnon to beat them late. He’s the game’s best player for a reason. Going up against MacKinnon and Cale Makar is no small task. They’re dominant superstars that have Colorado with only two regulation losses so far.

In the early going, a Gavrikov turnover led directly to Mark Stone and Mitch Marner setting up Howden for an early goal against his former team. That’s like clockwork when it comes to the Rangers. At least Howden turned himself into a good player.

Sensing that his team needed a spark, Sam Carrick decided to drop the gloves against Keegan Kolesar. Carrick did well in the fight, getting the decision. He seems to have impeccable timing. There was one change to the lineup with the just recalled Jaroslav Chmelar replacing an ineffective Taylor Raddysh on the fourth line. Chmelar looked okay in his return, delivering a couple of hits and getting a point blank chance that Hart stopped. His more edgy style is a better fit for that line.

After only having three shots in a lethargic first period, the Rangers woke up with a much stronger second that saw them outshoot the Knights 16-6. Even better, they got the only two goals of the period.

On a great shift by the top line, Robertson had a shot deflect off Lafreniere in front with the loose puck coming right to Zibanejad for his 11th to even the score.

Less than four minutes later, it was Zibanejad who made a nice pass for Lafreniere in the right circle. He made no mistake roofing a laser past Hart that hit the inside of the crossbar and went out for his seventh to make it 2-1.

It was the kind of shot Lafreniere is capable of when he’s shooting the puck. He hasn’t done it enough. Maybe it can get him going. He picked up an assist on the Panarin tying marker against Colorado. If there’s a single player who must produce, it’s Lafreniere. They absolutely need him to hit the score sheet.

Late in the period, after Conor Sheary couldn’t beat Hart on a breakaway to make it two straight games with a goal (asking too much), Panarin was taken down which drew a reaction from the crowd. After no call was made, he got a high-sticking minor that upset both the bench and the fans.

In a game where there the Vegas got the only power play, was it asking too much for some consistency? The Rangers were the dominant team in the period. The Knights got away with a clear infraction, which was conveniently ignored. But as soon as Panarin got his stick up on Brayden McNabb moments later, the arm came up.

The Rangers were able to successfully kill off the penalty that carried over to the final period. Quick provided a couple of big saves to do his part. Unfortunately, the Rangers’ gas tank was running on empty.

Buoyed by the man-advantage, the Knights grabbed the momentum to control the third period by outshooting the Rangers 13-3. They seemed to be in the Rangers’ end a lot. However, the Knights had to work for most of their opportunities due to the diligent work of the Rangers, who had very active sticks.

Even during an extended shift for Borgen and Soucy, they never allowed anything on the inside. On another shift, Soucy was in the right spot to prevent a goal. His play has improved under Sullivan. Maybe it’s the familiarity playing with Borgen, who he partnered with in Seattle. The defensive system is much more structured than it was under Peter Laviolette. There are always forwards coming back.

In a rare instance, Vegas caught the Blueshirts in a line change to spring Barbashev for a breakaway. However, Quick took away the five-hole to make a pad save that kept the Rangers ahead. He finished with 26 saves, including 12 in the third. Unfortunately, it was a tough conclusion. He was a bit unlucky due to Lee inserting himself at a crucial point of the game.

Borgen and Howden were battling in front of the benches. It wasn’t to the point where it had to be called. Instead, it definitely benefited the Knights, who were able to tie the game and then win it in OT.

For the Rangers, they’ll travel to face the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night in one of those cool doubleheaders on TNT. Considering that the Blackhawks were outscored 13-1 in consecutive losses to the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, they’ll be ready to play back at the United Center.

The Rangers will get their first look at emerging superstar Connor Bedard, who ranks fourth in scoring with 40 points (18-22-40). That’s eight more than Panarin (10-22-32), who has rebounded from a slow start. He should be inspired when he returns to Chicago to face his former team.

Panarin just went over 900 career points. In 783 games, he has 312 goals and 590 assists for a total of 902 points. It all started in the Windy City when he played with former Blackhawks legend Patrick Kane, who is winding down a brilliant career in Detroit. If I were a betting man, I’d take Panarin as an anytime scorer for Wednesday.

If they want to prove that they’re serious about challenging for the playoffs, they’ll win the game against a defensively challenged opponent.

While improved, the Blackhawks can be hemmed in and taken advantage of. They rely a lot on Spencer Knight and Bedard. It should be a good game. The Rangers will want to avoid getting into a run and gun. If they can, they’ll probably get the win and return to MSG for the Montreal Canadiens this Saturday, Dec. 13.