It's been four years since Casey Printers entered B.C. Place Stadium ready to play in a Lions uniform. After an impressive debut on the road, Printers returns home on Saturday when the Lions (8-8) host the Calgary Stampeders (9-6-1) in a game with huge playoff implications.

A win by the Lions would go a long way toward solidifying a playoff berth while the Stampeders can clinch a home playoff date with a victory on Saturday.

Printers' last playoff performance was a loss to the Edmonton Eskimos in the 2005 West Division Final. But with quarterbacks Buck Pierce, Jarious Jackson and Travis Lulay all sidelined with shoulder injuries, it appears that this may be Printers' team for the remainder of the season.

"I think he'll get a warm reception," remarked head coach Wally Buono. "I think he enjoys playing at B.C. Place (Stadium); he's had some great games there."

Another full week of practice will have Printers more prepared, but it's his big-play ability that makes him so dangerous.

"We should be better as far as blitz pickup, getting the ball out of my hands quicker and into the guys' hands that can make plays for us," explained Printers.

"If you don't have explosive plays, it will be very difficult to win in the Canadian Football League. The guys do a great job of just being able to communicate on the fly. It's nothing planned, it's just something we're good at," added the veteran quarterback.

In his first start since rejoining the Lions, Printers completed 19 of 31 passes for 339 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against the Saskatchewan Roughriders a week ago. The pick proved costly, as it led to the game-winning field goal for Riders. Despite the unfavourable finish to his 2009 debut, Printers return did manage to exceed expectations.

"He still has the ability to take a play that has no beginnings and make something good out of it," said Buono.

"Casey's given us a different dimension that we didn't have here, and I'm not mad if he stays in there," stated a very candid Geroy Simon.

The Lions' fate appears to be in Printers' hands, but it might also belong to his offensive line. The Lions have been forced to move two players into positions they haven't played before in the CFL. As a result, you can expect a big push from the Stampeders, but it's just a matter of whether they can wrap their hands around the Lions' QB.

In next week's regular season finale, the Lions will welcome the Eskimos to BC Place Stadium in a game that could decide which team makes the playoffs or which team heads East in the cross-over.

Calgary remains in a tie with the Saskatchewan for first place in the West, after having clinched a playoff spot with last week's convincing win over the Eskimos.

After a mini-slump, quarterback Henry Burris has turned it up a notch in the last two weeks, throwing for over 600 yards and three touchdowns. And running back Joffrey Reynolds has also raised his game with over 200 yards on the ground.

Next week, the Stampeders will travel to Saskatchewan in a match-up that could decide who hosts the West Division final.

With files from CTV British Columbia's Perry Solkowski