from Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Journal,

Nobody ever wants their pants pulled down, but there are times and places where the embarrassment of getting your backside tanned outweighs the pain.

Wednesday night in Toronto was that time and that place.

For an Edmonton Oilers team that has endured some devastating losses over the last few years, the humiliating 6-2 assault the Toronto Maple Leafs laid on them ranks as one of the all-time lows.

On the biggest stage in the league, with the Oilers feeling as good about themselves as they have in a long time on the strength of a 2-0-2 stretch, they took a savage beating that was uncomfortable to watch. It was like a lopsided boxing match that the referee won’t stop, even when it’s obvious to everyone else the damage is brutal and there is simply no hope for a comeback.

“It’s a lot of fun to play here in Toronto against these guys, it’s a great atmosphere,” said Oilers defenceman Oscar Klefbom. “But when they get momentum and start scoring on their chances and get so much energy from their fans, it’s not fun to be out there.”

Can’t imagine that it was. It was as glaring a mismatch of speed, skill and depth as the Oilers have experienced all season. In addition to the top end of Mitch Marner, John Tavares, Auston Matthews and Morgan Reilly, the Leafs threw a second wave of offence at Edmonton that the Oilers’s collection of AHL call-ups, foot soldiers and fourth-liners simply did not have an answer for.

continued

Catch the game highlights below.