from Mark Spector of Sportsnet,

It was supposed to be a measuring stick, this first-place clash with the division-leading Toronto Maple Leafs.

The measuring stick, it seems, may now have to be surgically removed.

How badly did it get for the Edmonton Oilers, losers by scores of 4-0, 3-0, and in Wednesday’s finale, 6-1?

“They embarrassed us three games in a row. That’s a tough one to swallow,” said defenceman Tyson Barrie, pointless in all three games, like so many others.

There isn’t a single element of the sport of hockey that Edmonton can claim to have executed better than Toronto through nine periods of hockey, so thorough was the defeat.

Whether it’s a tangible, like winning battles or scoring goals, or intangibles — like heart — the Leafs had more and did it better.

As such, everything about this Oilers team is open for question.

“It’s very concerning,” said a grave head coach Dave Tippett. “Very concerning that we don’t want to grab the competitive level in a series like this.”

continued

Game highlights are below.