Ten takeaways from the Canadiens vs. Senators game: A pathetic performance

1.There's no better game in Ottawa than one featuring the Habs.

The Leafs matchups come close, but it's not quite the same, especially since the playoff series between Montreal and Ottawa. It's rare for Senators fans participate in a raucous atmosphere, but when there's boisterous Habs fans involved, Sens fans definitely rise to the occasion.

Hell, I would even go as far as saying that in the playoffs last season, the loudest rink was in Ottawa, not Montreal.

2. Michael McCarron needs more time.

The talk of him taking over for Lars Eller next year is incredibly premature. Granted, he's got good size, but he'll need more time to hone his skills.

Right now he has the third worst CF% among Habs forwards this season (47.79%), behind Brian Flynn and Jacob de la Rose. Of course, he's not exactly surrounded by talented linemates; however, it's clear he's simply not ready for a promotion just yet. That being said, when he's on the ice the Habs do control 63% of the high-danger scoring chances, which is incredibly encouraging, even when we keep in mind this is based on an incredibly small sample size.

I'm convinced he'll establish himself as a regular NHL player at some point in his career, but I'm not sure we should pencil him on the third line next season. As for fourth line duties, McCarron is probably best off earning high ice time in the AHL rather than limited shifts on the 4th line with the Habs.

One thing that I would like to see more of is controlled zone entries. He did a great job in St. John's when it came to gaining the zone with control of the puck, and we saw him do so in the first period versus the Senators. The Habs need controlled entries like I need cake. Way too much.

3. Lucas Lessio is doing a great job during his audition.

He's got size, speed, and effort to burn. He can also play a grinding game, something that should please any coach in the NHL.

He leads the Habs in high-danger scoring chances (65%) and regular scoring chances (59%). His CF%, like McCarron, isn't great (48.37%), although I suspect that has to do with how terrible Montreal's roster is at the moment.

It's really hard to judge prospects with such a weak lineup, but so far so good for young Lessio.

Unlike McCarron, I wouldn't hesitate to give Lessio a spot in the bottom-six next year.

4. Damn it, Jean-Gabriel.

We get it, you really, really, really like playing against the Habs.

Death, taxes, and Pageau scoring versus the Habs. He would easily win the Art Ross if the Senators played the Canadiens 82 times a year. He would probably win it by only scoring shorthanded goals.

5. Life without P. K. Subban is terrifying

It's like taking a glimpse into your future, but instead of things getting better, it's basically the playground scene in Terminator 2--the one where everyone is melting, and there's only fear and tears.

For those that suggested the Habs should trade him, now you see why most of us called you crazy.

It's a perfect confirmation that you should never consider trading your best skater. As bad as things were before his injury, they're infinitely worse now that he's out of the lineup.

6.  As goons go, Mike Brown isn't terrible.

My stance on fighters is quite clear: I think they're fairly useless. That being said, as goons go, Brown is decent. He's got speed, and some of his hits create turnovers. He's also been on the ice for a lot of Montreal's high-danger scoring chances.

I wouldn't have him on my roster, but if you're going to be forced to watch a face puncher, there are worse options than Brown.

7. The Habs made history!

The Habs made history to start the year, and then they did the same during their historic collapse. The team had never allowed three shorthanded goals in one game before last night.

As it stands, the Habs' powerplay is currently a negative. Literally. They've allowed four shorthanded goals in the last week, whereas they've only scored 2 goals in their last 30+ opportunities.

The 2015-16 Montreal Canadiens: finding new ways to create sadness for fans.

8. The locker room was incredibly somber.

I can't remember entering a locker room that was so depressed.

Max Pacioretty really wasn't interested in talking, neither was the rest of the team. Philip Danault expressed his frustration by saying it was an unnacceptable effort, but other than that there really wasn't much substance to the quotes.

This team is simply going through the motions at this point.

9.  That was the most pathetic effort of the year.

The Habs are decimated right now. Actually, that's not right. Decimated would mean they lost one soldier for every 10 in the lineup.

Regardless, the fact of the matter is that they don't have a proper roster anymore. Instead of "we roll four lines," Michel Therrien should say "we roll fourth lines."

The Senators have allowed the most goals in the NHL and the Habs couldn't even manage to beat Andrew Hammond last night.

It was a sad affair and fans that watched the entire thing deserve a t-shirt. Or maybe a complimentary bottle of scotch.

10. The tank is on.

What more is there to say? The team clearly doesn't care very much anymore and it's starting to become contagious. All that's left is jostling for a better draft position, something that can wear thin on fans and writers alike.

In fact, it's getting really hard to find motivation to finish articles. One could even say that...