The historic rivalry between Toronto and Ottawa is back this Sunday in a playoff series packed with intensity, emotion… and classic Canadian drama.

The five things to watch closest as we get set for Game 1 of the best rivalry series in Round 1 of the playoffs this year.

On the eve of his ninth consecutive spring competing in the playoffs, Marner took time out from his postseason preparations for a 1-on-1 discussion with NHL.com, ranging from the Battle of Ontario, to the noise swirling around his contract status, to the confidence he gained from being one of Canada’s top performers at the 4 Nations in February: