Team spirit is flying high at City Hall.

A Winnipeg Jets flag fluttered outside the council building Thursday as Mayor Brian Bowman predicted the team would win a playoff spot for the first time since returning to the city for the 2011-12 National Hockey League season.

"We're flying the Jets flag at City Hall today to show support for the Jets tonight, and I encourage all Winnipeggers to show support as they play for a spot in the playoffs. Go, Jets, go!" said Bowman in an e-mail Thursday afternoon.

A Jets win in Denver or Los Angeles Kings regulation-time loss on Thursday in Calgary would allow the team to qualify them to compete for the Stanley Cup for the first time since the team moved to Winnipeg in 2011.

Inside City Hall, multiple staff members wore Jets jerseys a few hours prior to the key game.

Police pledged to monitor gatherings that might follow the final period after social-media users discussed flooding Portage and Main.

"Enjoy the moment, regardless of what the outcome is ... True fans are going to embrace the Winnipeg Jets and the work they've done this year. Our involvement will be to ensure that people are having fun but that they'll be doing it in a safe way," said Michalyshen.

joyanne.pursaga@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @pursagawpgsun