The Canadiens should want much more, the Senators should be desperate for much more, and fans on both sides should demand it to see this rivalry heat up to scorching levels over the coming years.

Tuesday's game was just one of countless examples Slafkovsky has offered over the last four months to show he might become a player like Rantanen much sooner than later.

It’s been two long years of losses, two long years of (mostly) moral victories, two long years of looking at the standings from the bottom up instead of the top down, two unprecedented years in well over a century of Canadiens hockey, and they’re finally running their course.

Instead of sulking, Joel Armia made the most of his time in the AHL. The Canadiens forward was rewarded for his impressive climb back by being named the club's Bill Masterton Trophy nominee.

The Montreal Canadiens' loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning not only mathematically eliminated them from the playoffs, it shined a light on their low floor, one of the main reasons they're out of the race in the first place.

When Josh Anderson receives this year's team photo, commemorating the most forgettable season of his career, he should see a group of people who will do anything to support his quest to bounce back next year.

The Canadiens have many more steps to take to get to the destination, but their commitment level is undeniable and it’s bolstering their confidence they will eventually arrive. That they will eventually become a team like the Hurricanes.