WINNIPEG -- It was back to business for the Winnipeg Jets Wednesday, as they skated for the first time since the Olympic break and prepared to resume their quest for the playoff berth that has eluded the franchise for so many years. With 22 games left and just over a week till they play again, coach Paul Maurice says he wants to get started right away sharpening defensive neutral zone play and forechecking without the puck. "Our sole focus is trying to find ways that we can be more aggressive with it," he said. The Jets were still minus their four Olympians -- forwards Olli Jokinen, Blake Wheeler and Michael Frolik, plus No. 1 netminder Ondrej Pavelec remain in Sochi -- but they made up for that with a healthy Evander Kane, Jim Slater and Matt Halischuk, all back from the injury list. Slater was out the longest after sports hernia surgery in Montreal. The centre and one of the teams faceoff leaders last played Oct. 18 but he says he now feels strong and ready to compete. Its a far different team than the one he left, with the Jets on a roll since Maurice took over from Claude Noel. They now sit just two points out of that coveted playoff spot. Slater says its always tough to be on the sidelines when a new coach comes in. "The slates wiped clean and when you cant get out there and play and show him what youve got, its definitely tough, you dont know where you fit in," he said. But Maurice helped to set his mind at ease. "Ive played against Paul a lot of my career when he was in Carolina, so we had a talk, he knows what kind of player I am and just wanted me to get healthy, come back strong and ready to go." The focus may be on getting his team ready for their first game Feb. 27 when the Phoenix Coyotes visit Winnipeg, but Maurice says hes still arranged practice Friday to let the team watch Canada and the U.S. play in the Olympics. "Weve moved practice so that we can get together and watch that as a team," he said. "Its a big deal so we want to respect that and enjoy it. . . At the end of the day hockey events are what were all about, right, and this is a big game." Its been seven years since the Atlanta Thrashers were swept in the first round of the NHL playoffs in their only appearance. Kane last played Jan. 26 in Chicago. He was out twice with an injured hand, the second time after what turned out to be a premature return resulted in an infection that saw his hand swell to the size of a baseball. He says hes sure hell be ready to go Feb. 27 and he likes where the Jets are now sitting. "We put ourselves in a position now where we can make a push and we have a legitimate shot to make the playoffs and contend," he said. "The last part of the schedule we play the teams that kind of bunched in with us so its going to be an good opportunity for us to make a push and finish off strong." Team captain Andrew Ladd says the time to practice will help the Jets get their pace back up. "I think that was the best part of our game, the last 10 games or so . . We were playing (with) speed and confidence and weve got to find a way to get that back." He said its also good to see players like Slater and Halischuk return after long absences. "Its nice to have some extra bodies." Sammy Watkins Chiefs Jersey . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted that its believed the Flames are working towards a new contract with the defenceman. Derrick Nnadi Chiefs Jersey . Jonathan Crompton led the team to a 40-9 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Crompton threw three touchdown passes - two to Duron Carter and one to Brandon London - and Sean Whyte connected on four field goals to power the Alouettes to the win. http://www.prochiefsauthentic.com/Youth-...e-Elite-Jersey/. The football club recently announced an increase in season ticket prices in five of the seven categories at Investors Group Field for 2014. While most increases are in the two to three per cent range, the clubs most affordable season tickets will jump from $199 to $250 — a 26 per cent leap. Stefan Charles Jersey . The stress, the waiting, the whispers about whether he doped during his stellar cycling career, all of it ended when - after nearly two years - federal prosecutors closed an investigation of him last week without bringing any charges. Armani Watts Chiefs Jersey . A groundswell for raising the number of playoff qualifiers to seven in each conference figures to get plenty of support from the 32 owners. Most notably, Arizonas Bill Bidwill, who saw his Cardinals go 10-6 and not get in, while Green Bay (8-7-1) qualified by winning the NFC North.Jenson Button is open to staying in Formula 1 until 2018 but insists he will only extend his career if he has a car which is capable of challenging for race victories. Button is in his 16th year in the sport but has told Sky Sports that it is time to start thinking about his future yet again, with his McLaren contract expiring at the end of this season.Stoffel Vandoorne is primed to replace the Brit if the Woking team decline to offer him a new deal, while Williams are interested in offering the 2009 world champion an F1 lifeline. There is no sportsman who would want to continue in a sport if he couldnt challenge, or he didnt have a new project that he felt could help him get a victory in the future, Button told Sky Sports News HQs Craig Slater. Jenson Button speaks to Craig Slater ahead of the British Grand Prix Its obviously getting to the point now where I need to start thinking about my future, which is a shame because its only July, but it seems that people are impatient and want to know as soon as possible.If I feel I can be in Formula 1 and be in a competitive car and be close to podiums or fight for podiums, thats exciting. Then, if I feel that with my input I can possibly be in Formula 1 the following year, and then have a chance of winning - then yes, of course I want to be here.When is the British GP on Sky?But Button is adamant he will not remain in F1 simply for the sake of extending his career.If I dont see results around the corner, I dont want to be racing because the loves gone, because I cant fight for those positions - and thats what Im here to do - so Ill go and do something else. Im 36, Ive got my whole life ahead of me, which is really exciting. There are so many other things in motor racing, in other sports... theres so much I want to do in life. So I only want to be racing next year if I feel Im in a competitive car.Personally, I will always give it my all when I race a Formula 1 car. Im not a driver who drivers half-heartedly. It has to be all or nothing and thats what I want next year. Stoffel Vandoorne feels he and Jenson Button are fighting for the same drive at McLaren next season Button has endured a painful decline in his results over the past few years, largely due to McLarens slump in form.dddddddddddd He last stepped onto the podium when he won the season-ending Brazilian GP in 2012 - a streak which now stretches to 66 races.I dont want to be racing if Im just making up the numbers, he explained to Sky F1. To be fair, last year felt like that, but it was part of a project. It was an exciting project and its still moving forward.But I dont want to be outside of a podium finish next year. If Im racing next year, I want to be fighting for podiums and if this team [McLaren] gives me that opportunity, Ill obviously be here.But thats the aim, because if you can fight for podiums one year, with a bit of input and a bit of help you might be able to fight for wins the next year. Ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, watch some of the best moments in F1 as British drivers win in front of their home fans While he hasnt got close to a podium finish this year, Button proved his class at the Austrian GP, finishing sixth in the Honda-powered MP4-31. He now trails team-mate Fernando Alonso by just five points in the standings.I dont want to big myself up, but Im happy with what Ive achieved this year, Button added. I have a team-mate who is regarded as one of the best drivers who ever drove an F1 car and, yes, I feel Ive done a good job this year - and loved every second of it.Were not racing at the front but youre still racing against that guy and youre still seeing improvements as you get closer to the front. That is a massive buzz. Also See: When is the British GP on Sky? QUIZ: Great British drivers Get a NOW TV weekend pass Vettel: No ego issue with Kimi Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Wholesale China Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale NFL Jerseys Stitched NFL Jerseys China Womens NFL Jerseys ' ' '