Leafs' O'Reilly unable to return vs. Canucks after taking shot off hand

Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks was an ugly defeat for the Toronto Maple Leafs in more ways than one.

Ryan O'Reilly, Toronto's top trade deadline acquisition, was unable to return to the game after taking a shot off of his hand in the Canucks' zone late in the second period.

O'Reilly, 32, has three goals and two assists in eight games as a Maple Leaf.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe said the team would have a clearer update on the severity of O'Reilly's injury on Monday, but that it was "serious enough" to keep him out of the remainder of the game, according to TSN's Mark Masters.

Toronto acquired O'Reilly and forward Noel Acciari from the St. Louis Blues in mid-February in exchange for prospect Mikhail Abramov, forward Adam Gaudette, 2023 first- and third-rounders, as well as a 2024 second-round pick.

Auston Matthews had an injury scare of his own after taking a shot off the side of his knee in the opening frame. He wasn't on the bench to start the second period, but he was ultimately able to return to the ice.

The reigning Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner admitted he was trying to "grind (his) way through it" and that "it didn’t feel too great, but felt fine to play."

The contest was tied 1-1 early in the third, but Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller scored shorthanded 44 seconds apart to put the game out of reach.

Toronto is in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 38-17-8 record. The Maple Leafs have 19 games remaining on their regular season schedule.