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BOSTON — This was the type of grinding, physical, playoff-style match the Rangers just might not be built for. 

But on this Saturday, this was also the exact type of grinding, physical, playoff-style match the Rangers won. 

It was 2-1 in overtime for the Blueshirts over the Bruins on Vincent Trocheck’s deflection of Artemi Panarin’s precision feed at 2:03 of extra time to vault the Rangers back into first-place overall in the NHL with a .741 point percentage off their 21-7-1 mark. 

“I think it says a little bit more about our team from a grit, a togetherness, and all around just being able to stick with it being down a goal and stand up for one another,” Trocheck, who scored both of his club’s goals, said after the Blueshirts’ second victory within 24 hours. “I think that says a lot against a team like that, obviously.” 

The Big Bad Bruins are celebrating their centennial season. For this one, they invited select members back from the blue-collar, Lunchpail AC clubs of the latter part of the 1970s that included noted pugilists John “Wire” Wensink, Stan Jonathan and Terry O’Reilly.

This represents the Boston heritage as surely as Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito and Ray Bourque. 

And the B’s played to it, taking the body whenever possible, turning this one into a game of tight spaces.

David Pastrnak continued his odd feud with Ryan Lindgren, smashing the defenseman into the wall from behind late in the second period to thus earn a major and game misconduct. 

Trent Frederic defended his honor from last month when he was cracked across the head by Jacob Trouba’s stick by throwing down with the New York captain off a random second-period faceoff. 

“It wasn’t like I was forced to,” Trouba said. “If someone hit me in the head with a stick, I’d probably want to fight him, too, so it is what it is and I have no issue with it. Now, move on.” 

The Rangers seem to have moved on from the carelessness and lack of discipline on the defensive side of the puck that had plagued them much of the past three weeks.

But they have buckled down again, allowing one goal apiece Friday and Saturday, defeating the Ducks, 5-1, at home before taking this one. 

Igor Shesterkin — deep breath here, fans — was outstanding, economical in his movements and careful not to allow rebounds to bounce into dangerous areas for second chances.

This was his best game since the Black Friday victory in Philadelphia.

This served as a reminder of who Shesterkin can, should and usually is in net. 

The Bruins took a 1-0 lead on Frederic’s score from the goalmouth at 2:07 of the second period after he appeared to jab Shesterkin’s right pad with his stick before the puck got there off a James VanRiemsdyk backhand from a sharp angle.

The Rangers challenged for goaltender interference.

Alas, it was not upheld. 

Boston doggedly defended its lead in a game that was contested in tight spaces.

The Rangers failed on their first five power plays while killing Boston’s four man-advantages as the 1-0 match turned into the third period. 

Still, the Blueshirts persevered.

The preponderance of special-team play — just 39:48 was played at five-on-five — caused head coach Peter Laviolette to juggle his personnel.

For instance, Will Cuylle got only one shift worth 49 seconds in the third period. 

“We have confidence that we can win in different ways,” Panarin told The Post. “For sure, it makes your team better if you can win in a bunch of different situations. 

“This was more like a playoff game.” 

The Rangers got their power-play goal on their sixth advantage when Trocheck rifled one past Jeremy Swayman at 10:49 of third period. It was the club’s 28th power-play goal of the season. The first unit has been on for all but two of them. 

Then the Blueshirts salted it away on the overtime’s third shift when the sympatico Panarin and Trocheck hooked up yet again to remind everyone that, one year later, yes, they can play together. 

And that the Rangers can win a game like this and against the team that now rests second overall in the league. 

“I think that’s a game that kind of brings a team together,” Trouba said. “The final 10 minutes seemed almost like a playoff game how tight it was. 

“It was fun to play, it was great for our team and it’s something we can build off of after the last stretch where its been a little inconsistent or not getting to the game we love and want to be known for.” 

On this night, this was Rangers Hockey.

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