While the Stampede has clinched a National Ice Hockey League playoff spot, wins in its final two games would go a long way to helping the Dunedin Thunder secure third place.
That will be at the forefront of both teams' minds when they do battle at the Dunedin Ice Stadium tonight and tomorrow.
The Thunder is on 21 points and has a five-point buffer over the Botany Swarm, thanks to two wins over the Auckland side.
However, the Swarm has two extra games to play and could potentially reach a total of 28 points, while the Thunder can reach a maximum of 27.
The Swarm has a tough task to do that, however, having to play joint league leaders the West Auckland Admirals and Stampede in its final four games.
Despite that, Thunder captain Paris Heyd said the team was hoping to make it as difficult as it could for the Swarm to get past it.
"Really, we need a couple of wins. That still doesn't quite guarantee us a spot - we still need the Swarm to lose.
"So every point's going to help.
"The Swarm play the Admirals and the Stampede the last two weekends. That's going to be a couple of tough games for them, so hopefully it's enough to hold them off."
The prize is a place in the one-off second versus third playoff for the right to play the top-placed side in the three-match final series.
It is the first time the format has been used, changing from the straight final series between the top two sides.
That change came after teams made the final following a run of good form early, which then dipped later in the season.
It had meant the third-placed team was often playing better by the end and one-sided finals made for an anti-climactic finish.
For the Stampede, it is a chance to stake its claim to secure top spot and bypass the playoff game.
On 27 points, it is equal with the West Auckland Admirals on top of the table.
It will have to go through a Thunder side which is riding a high of confidence however.
Last time the sides met the Thunder won 5-4 in Queenstown.
The win shows there is no reason the team cannot take down the defending champions.
"We have just been building all season. I guess it really kicked off when we won that game in Queenstown," Heyd said.
"Beating them up there just shows everyone that they are beatable."
He hopes home advantage can help the Thunder be even more competitive this weekend.
"Especially when they come down here, we've got a big ice surface and advantage obviously goes to the home side.
"Hopefully, we can build off what we did in Queenstown and keep rolling."
Aggressiveness cost Stampede players Braden Lee, Hayden Argyle and Connor Harrison last weekend.
The trio were suspended for their roles in a brawl with the West Auckland Admirals, but are free to play again this weekend.
