They have seven games left and six of them are against Kiwi opposition; even their May 23 match against the woeful Blues will be tough given it will be at Eden Park.
But the Chiefs will be the litmus test.
"We know we've got a couple of games against them coming up and I'm sure that will probably decide who finishes top," Hurricanes fullback James Marshall told Radio Sport last night.
Before the Hurricanes can worry about Dave Rennie's Chiefs, they will have to focus on their home clash with the Crusaders at the Cake Tin this weekend.
The Crusaders got back in the winner's circle with a 29-15 victory over the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday.
"They look to be gaining momentum at the right time, as they do, so it's going to be a massive game for us," Marshall said.
After meeting the Crusaders, the Hurricanes host the Sharks on May 9 in a game where hooker Dane Coles will likely make his return from an elbow injury.
The Hurricanes are also hoping utility forward Blade Thomson will be available to play the Crusaders as he slowly overcomes concussion. Loose forward Victor Vito remains a fluid prospect due to his dodgy calf.
In Brisbane last night, the Hurricanes had to overcome an early assault from the Reds as the home side, who have been poor in 2015, shot out to an early lead.
But Boyd's side showed their improved resolve as they fought back through their exciting backs as a double to halfback TJ Perenara helped lay the platform.
"We knew we always had enough in attack to come back," Marshall said.
Their week 10 loss to the Waratahs provided a wake-up call for the Hurricanes and Marshall said the team spoke about improving their physicality during their preparation for the Reds.
"We just needed to get stuck in to them and outwork them."
Boyd will need to juggle how he rests his All Blacks during the final few weeks of the season as a number of his backs require one more week off to satisfy the two-game rest protocol placed on internationals this year as the World Cup approaches.
