Stamkos (upper body) participated in an optional skate Friday wearing a regular uniform, as opposed to a red no-contact jersey.

Analysis:

We won't jump to conclusions, but this could be a sign that Stamkos is no longer taking blood thinners and preparing for contact. Barring a miraculous turnaround, Stamkos won't play against the Penguins in Friday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, but it does seem like he's making notable progress now that he's more than five weeks into his recovery schedule.