The narrative that had taken hold since Gerard Gallant’s reign behind the bench started last season — and for good reason — is inoperative.

The Rangers who were insufficient at five-on-five and were carried offensively by the power play have ceased to exist.

Instead, the remodeled Blueshirts, who used 40 different game-opening line combinations in the club’s first 35 games leading into the wonderfully civilized Christmas recess, rank comparatively higher playing at even strength than with the man advantage.

No one would have expected that.