Ryan O'Reilly Injury Update: GM Kyle Dubas provides latest update on injured center

The Toronto Maple Leafs have felt the absence of their trade deadline acquisition Ryan O'Reilly. He has been sidelined since sustaining a broken finger during the Leafs' game against the Vancouver Canucks on March 4. Fortunately, there has been some positive news about O'Reilly's pending return to the lineup.

Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas and head coach Sheldon Keefe recently provided encouraging updates about Ryan O'Reilly's status. According to NHL insider Chris Johnson, Dubas believes O'Reilly will fully recover from his injury and be back in the lineup before the start of the playoffs.

"Kyle Dubas says he expects Ryan O'Reilly to return to the #leafs lineup before the playoffs. Adds that they were fortunate because of the type of break ROR suffered to his finger."- @reporterchris

Keefe provided an update on O'Reilly on March 13. He expects the veteran forward to begin skating this week.

"Keefe on O'Reilly: "He has not skated yet, but it's imminent. He has been in every day and doing what he needs to do to get ready. I was told he was expected on skates this week. #Leafs"- @koshtorontosun

Ryan O'Reilly got off to a good start with his career in the Toronto Maple Leafs jersey

The Leafs acquired Ryan O'Reilly from the St. Louis Blues on February 17. O'Reilly scored a hat-trick against the Buffalo Sabres in just his third game with the team on February 21. He suffered a finger injury after being hit by an Auston Matthews shot during the second period of their game against the Canucks.

Montreal Canadiens v Toronto Maple Leafs

O'Reilly was placed on long-term injured reserve after it was revealed that he would require surgery for his broken finger. The surgery was completed on March 6th. It was announced that he would be sidelined for a minimum of 10 games and 24 days.

According to reports, O'Reilly will be back in action before the start of the playoffs. The 32-year-old forward has appeared in eight games for the Leafs, recording three goals and two assists during that span.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, on the other hand, are currently second in the Atlantic Division with 88 points. Mitchell Marner has led the team in scoring with 24 goals and 61 assists in 66 games.

The Toronto Maple Leafs hope to bounce back after a tough loss to the Buffalo Sabres when they face the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. The puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm/ET.