The Pittsburgh Penguins will likely have an altered lineup as they return from break.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins return to action for their first contest out of the bye week and All-Star break against the Winnipeg Jets. It’s a tough test to have right away for the Penguins, but they might have the benefit of an altered lineup.

With faces likely making their return to the lineup and a new name joining the fold, the Penguins will take on the Jets with some new looks.

Forward Lines

Jake Guentzel – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust

No changes are expected from one of the best analytical lines in hockey as Jake Guentzel is set to play in his 500^th career game.

Reilly Smith – Evgeni Malkin – Drew O’Connor
After missing six games with an upper-body injury, Reilly Smith is listed as a game-time decision against the Jets and has practiced a couple of days in a row on the second line. The Penguins are hopeful he can find some good production as he returns to the lineup.

Rickard Rakell – Lars Eller – Jesse Puljujarvi

Likely making his season and Penguins debut, Jesse Puljujarvi has earned his way to this position. After signing a two-year contract with the Penguins, Puljujarvi has spent the last few days taking reps on the third line with Lars Eller and Rickard Rakell.

Jansen Harkins – Noel Acciari – Jeff Carter

No changes have come from this line in quite a bit and it’s likely to stay that way as head coach Mike Sullivan enjoys what they bring to the table. This will be Jansen Harkins’ first game against the Jets since being claimed off waivers just before the start of the season.

Defensive Pairs

Marcus Pettersson – Kris Letang
Ryan Graves – Erik Karlsson
P.O. Joseph – Chad Ruhwedel

No real changes from the last time the Penguins hit the ice, but Sullivan has mentioned a couple of times that defenseman John Ludvig is available to suit up. In the Penguins recent full-team skate, however, Ludvig was skating with forward Colin White as a fourth defensive pair.

Starting Goalie

Tristan Jarry

The Penguins have shown great confidence in both Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic this season splitting their starts nearly 50/50. Coming out of a lengthy break, though, they will roll with Jarry ahead of a brief road trip featuring a back-to-back situation.

This is the Penguins' first of two times meeting the Jets this season and their second battle will be in Winnipeg this upcoming weekend.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.

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