Ottawa, meanwhile, is gaining momentum each passing game, with Senators captain Brady Tkachuk saying after Game 5 that his team has “planted a seed of doubt” in the Leafs.

With the opportunity to win a series, on home ice no less, how did the two pillars of the franchise come up short — again?

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: