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Maple Leafs' O'Reilly out 4 weeks with broken finger

Gerry Thomas / National Hockey League / Getty

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan O'Reilly will miss four weeks after undergoing surgery to stabilize his broken finger, head coach Sheldon Keefe said Tuesday, according to TSN's Mark Masters.

That timeline puts O'Reilly on track to return April 6 against the Boston Bruins, giving him a five-game runway before the start of the playoffs.

O'Reilly, who will be placed on long-term injured reserve, took a puck off the hand during Saturday's loss to the Vancouver Canucks.

The 2019 Selke, Conn Smythe, and Stanley Cup winner was Toronto's prized addition ahead of the NHL trade deadline. He's recorded three goals and a pair of assists in eight games since joining the Maple Leafs.

Toronto will also be without captain John Tavares on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils "out of an abundance of caution," Keefe said.

Tavares skated as an extra in Monday's practice but didn't take line rushes.

"John (is) just not feeling himself today," Keefe said Monday. "Not feeling great. Wanted to skate and see exactly where he's at and he got through it and is feeling a little bit better than he thought."

Tavares was on the receiving end of a pair of big hits from Tyler Myers on Saturday.

Keefe said that the team is mindful of the hits, according to Masters, but added that there's a flu bug going around too. If everything goes well, Tavares will return Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers.

The Leafs promoted Pontus Holmberg and Alex Steeves from the AHL in corresponding moves. Both are expected to play on the fourth line Tuesday.

Newly acquired defenseman Luke Schenn was absent from Monday's practice to be with his wife, who's set to give birth in Vancouver.

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