In fact, as you might expect, they went into the break talking about being better on the other side. They came out of it determined to prove they could be. And the results – simply – have been impressive.

Following Tuesday’s overtime victory in Chicago, the Jets are now one point out of a playoff spot in the NHL’s Western Conference. It’s a remarkable pivot that has seen the team rally from seven games below NHL .500 to two games above.

It’s the type of comeback that struggling teams and their fan bases whimsically dream about, but rarely experience.

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For Winnipeg, their performance over the last 18 games has mirrored the type of hockey they played for most of last season: inspired, gritty, skilled and determined.

They’ve amassed 10 wins and produced points in another four of those 18 games to close the distance on a wild-card berth that, if they fell short of securing now, would only add to the frustration of what’s been a curious season.

But what’s also impressive about this surge has been who’s leading the charge.

Players like Mark Scheifele and Gabe Vilardi are enjoying career offensive seasons and their efforts, along with other stars, have guided the group on a nightly basis, but the healthy sprinkling of organizational youth in the lineup has helped make Winnipeg faster, quicker and much more competitive.

Remember, the Jets were sellers at the trade deadline, not buyers.

Now let’s be clear, sitting one back of a playoff spot isn’t sitting in a playoff spot.

But when you examine where the Jets have come from over the last several months, they may have been left for dead in early February, but fortunately for them, the rest of the NHL didn’t read them their last rites.

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