Written by Kristina, Allhabs.net

MONTREAL, QC — Laughable. A complete and utter joke through 58 minutes and 38 seconds. You could probably think of a lot more adjectives to describe the listless effort displayed in game number 28 on the year, but why bother?

Without question, the Montreal Canadiens officially put on their worst performance on Bell Centre home ice in the 2011-2012 season against the worst team in the National Hockey League. A team who now has eight wins to boast about on the year.

That’s the shake-your-head in complete discontent news.

The glass half full news? The Canadiens managed to undeservingly squeak a point out of the Columbus Blue Jackets and now find themselves 10th in the Eastern conference, one point out of a playoff spot.

It is typical that teams returning from a long road trip get off to a slow start in the first home game back. But is it typical that the Canadiens were only able to muster their first shot on goal 7:18 into the first period? Is it even more fathomable that it took them even longer to register their first shot during the second period which occured at the 8:20 mark?

Unbelievable.

The Canadiens managed to get 19 shots on net during regulation against a career AHL goaltender who spent two years in the Montreal organization with the Hamilton Bulldogs and has played 119 games total in the NHL over the last nine years. They made the 5’11 187 pound backup goaltender on the worst team in the NHL look like a number one goaltender on the best team in the NHL.

The Canadiens served up the puck on a silver platter all over the neutral zone, turning it over 11 times to the Jackets’ five. The team struggled to make the simple tape-to-tape pass and had a hard time getting out of the defensive zone all night long.

Hall Gill struggled once again 5-on-5 and finished the night with a minus-2 rating. In the last five games, Gill is a combined minus-6. His defensive partner, Weber, also had a difficult night, finishing minus-1 on the evening and being the catalyst caught out of position on what turned out to be the R.J. Umberger goal also known as that Habs-killer that general manager Pierre Gauthier didn’t sign in the offseason.

Louis Leblanc had only eight shifts and 4:48 of time on the ice, but he made use of his limited opportunity. He finished the game with a shot on goal, a nice feed to Eller for a one-timer in the slot, and some nifty puck protection in the offensive zone during the first period. Not quite sure why he didn’t get closer to the minutes he had in Los Angeles, but who the heck could figure that one out. The kid certainly showed some promise.

Should I even venture to discuss a power-play that often looked like the Habs were actually on the penalty-kill? Perhaps that should be saved for another day. It was status quo on this front, 0-for-3 without evening looking remotely menacing all night. The Canadiens now find themselves 27th in the league on the power-play with a dismal 11.8 per cent effectiveness.

In brighter news, Alexei Emelin is establishing himself as a physical force on Montreal’s backend. The Russian Mack Truck had nine hits on the night, many of which appeared to inflict pain on those he nailed. With 75 hits, Emelin is fourth in the NHL among defensemen, even though he has only played 20 games. Emelin certainly looks like he will easily hit the 200-hit mark this season — he may even reach 300 at the rate he is hitting right now. It is certainly a refreshing thing to see on the backend considering the last time the Canadiens had a player with over 200 hits, Mike Komisarek was on the team.

Carey Price continued his strong play of the Molson Cups he has won for the months of October and November. He definitely would have wanted the Umberger goal back (obviously) for the simple fact that Umberger looked like he muffed on his shot. The Canadiens dropped the ball in the shootout dropping to 1-4 on the year, but the bottom line is that Carey gave his team a chance to win the game in regulation or overtime once again.

Time to turn the page on this one and be content with the point on a night where the Canadiens did not deserve one at all.

Josh Gorges said it best post-game.

“We didn’t play a good hockey game tonight, I think we were fortunate to steal a point. It’s just not good enough. It’s getting old saying this after games, we gotta turn it around.” — Josh Gorges

It is getting old, Josh.

The Canadiens face the Canucks on Thursday night, an opponent they will mostly likely be awake for.

Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images