Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness is well aware of the stakes in Wednesday's clash with the Calgary Flames.
"(Wednesday) is probably going to be like a Game 7 for both teams," Bowness said Tuesday, per Sportsnet's Ken Wiebe. "I think that's the importance of the game."
The Jets and Flames are locked in a tense battle for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Winnipeg currently holds the advantage with 89 points through 77 contests, but a Calgary win in regulation would create a tie with one extra game played.
The Jets also hold the edge in regulation wins (33-29), the first tiebreaker if the two Canadian clubs end up tied in points at season's end. Despite being in the driver's seat, Winnipeg knows it can't take its next game for granted.
"(Wednesday) is as close to a must-win as you'll get in the regular season," forward Adam Lowry said. "It's a huge game."
Lowry added: "There's still pressure. The race is so close. These next couple of games are going to be the pressure release. We’re ready for the challenge."
The Flames head to Winnipeg on the heels of a loss to the 30th-place Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. Calgary forward Mikael Backlund hinted postgame that the Flames were focused on the Jets rather than the task at hand.
Puck drop between the Jets and Flames is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
