After a couple of close calls for both sides throughout the first period, Jamie Benn broke the scoreless tie with 1:33 to go in the opening period. Seconds after a four-on-three Stars power play turned to a five-on-four advantage, Benn's wrist shot from the left circle beat a screened Connor Hellebuyck on the glove side.
Dallas would build on that lead 9:25 into the second, when Denis Gurianov's wrist shot from the right wing got by Hellebuyck on the stick side, just inside the post. His fifth of the campaign made it 2-0 for the home side.
But with five comeback wins already this season, the Jets were still comfortable with the thought of having to rally in the third.
"It's a big part of the belief when you're coming out," said Maurice. "When you've had success, you know you can do it, you have confidence in your firepower. So does the other team, so they're careful with you too in the third. You get a step on them, that's all it takes."
The Jets got the start to the third period they needed when Wheeler's wrist shot from the bottom of the right circle hit Ben Bishop in the shoulder, popped up in the air and over the Stars goaltender, bouncing off his skate and over the goal line.
Nikolaj Ehlers and Tucker Poolman picked up assists on Wheeler's seventh of the season.
The Jets continued to pour it on in the third period, outshooting Dallas 13-3 in the final frame. The hard work paid off, as with Hellebuyck pulled for an extra attacker, Patrik Laine found Scheifele wide open in the slot for the equalizer with 44.6 seconds left in regulation.
"You have to take your shots when you get them, but if it doesn't go in that's where the guys down low do an unbelievable job," said Wheeler. "KC is all over the puck, Nik was all over the puck, Patty was in on that battle to set up Scheif. Those are the little things that ultimately spring you."
But 91 seconds into overtime, Pavelski tapped in a Tyler Seguin centering pass to send the Jets home with one of two possible points.
"Two pretty evenly matched teams. They play a tough game, especially in this building," said Wheeler.
"It was a great hockey game. The last couple years, whenever we've played these guys it's been a tough battle… Those are fun games to get up for. Early December, that was a good hockey game."