New Jersey has been successful against Pittsburgh this season, with a 2-0-0 record.
"The first two games really don't matter," head coach John Hynes said. "But every time we play them it's really the same thing. You have to be ready for 60-minutes, can't take shifts off because they're just too talented."
The opportunity against the Penguins on Monday night will also provide a fresh start as the Devils begin the latter half of their season.
"We want to start putting some pressure on the teams above us and see what happens," Kyle Palmieri said. "You see teams get hot and cold. This time of year, last year we went on a run ourselves. We just have to focus on the next game and see if we can string a couple together and see if we can put pressure on the other team."
Palmieri reunited with his teammates fresh off his first All-Star appearance in San Jose and was on the ice with his teammates for morning skate.
"It's good to see your teammates again," Palmieri said. "It's good to be back in the room, it's been a little over a week since I've seen everyone so it's good to be back with the guys."
Palmieri will return to the top line with Marcus Johansson and Nico Hischier, with a previously-injured Miles Wood ready to return to the lineup.
The break came at a good time for Wood, who used the time off to continue to heal from his lower-body injury. He sat out New Jersey's final three games heading into the break.
"I'm really excited," Wood said. "Not playing hockey for 10 days it's a long time. I'm excited to get back and play with my teammates."
Wood will resume his spot on the second line with Travis Zajac and Blake Coleman, a benefit for head coach John Hynes who says the line has been one of his more consistent since putting the three players together.
"Miles brings back some things we were missing when he was out," Hynes said. "His speed, his competitiveness. He's a guy that can tilt the ice for you and put the other teams defense on their heels. He's worked really well, the line with [Travis] Zajac and [Blake] Coleman has really been playing well before Miles got hurt. It will be nice to see them get back together and give us more depth up front."
New Jersey Devils Projected Lineup:
Marcus Johansson - Nico Hischier - Kyle Palmieri
Miles Wood - Travis Zajac - Blake Coleman
Brett Seney - Pavel Zacha - Jesper Bratt
Brian Boyle - Kevin Rooney - Drew Stafford
Andy Greene - Damon Severson
Will Butcher - Sami Vatanen
Mirco Mueller - Steven Santini
Keith Kinkaid
Cam Johnson
