Updated

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang returned to practice on Monday nearly two months after suffering a stroke, but his return remains uncertain.

Letang hasn't played since falling ill on Jan. 28, but says he is off the blood-thinning medication prescribed by doctors and is holding out hope he can play again this season.

The 26-year-old admitted to some early jitters in practice before mixing it up at the end with teammate James Neal, who is coming back from a concussion.

The Metropolitan Division-leading Penguins have struggled in Letang's absence. They are just 7-5-2 in the 14 games since his stroke and have ceded the top spot in the Eastern Conference to the Boston Bruins.