Yzerman not ruling Stamkos out of conference finals

The Pittsburgh Penguins may have to deal with a healthier Tampa Bay Lightning roster in the Eastern Conference finals.

Steven Stamkos is skating with the team but not taking contact, and remains on blood thinners pending a decision from doctors to take him off, but general manager Steve Yzerman didn't close the door on the captain's participation in the third round.

"I'm not going to rule anything out," Yzerman said Wednesday, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "But I can't give you a 'yes' or a 'no.'"

For his part, Stamkos said he's able to do everything but get laid out by teammates in practice.

"I feel like I can play," he said. "It's just (getting the) word now."

Defenseman Anton Stralman also practiced Wednesday, and could be available at some point against the Penguins after being out seven weeks with a broken leg.