By his own evaluation, Justin Schultz’s play after returning from a long injury absence last season was not up to his lofty standards.

He is convinced his imminent return from injury this time will produce better results.

“It’s definitely tough,” the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman said about re-acclimating game speed. “Obviously (this current absence), is not four months, but it’ll be a little smoother than that one.”

“That one” was last season, when Schultz did not play between Oct. 13 and Feb. 16 because of a broken leg suffered during an early-season game in Montreal. Schultz’s return for the final 25 games was underwhelming compared to his first 31⁄2 seasons with the Penguins. His plus/minus and possession/shot-attempt statistics were his lowest since joining the Penguins.

This season, though, Schultz’s layoff hasn’t lasted nearly as long. He has been out since Dec. 17 because of a lower-body injury. But he was a full participant at practice Monday for the first time since he suffered his injury during a win at the Calgary Flames five weeks ago.

Neither Schultz nor coach Mike Sullivan would rule out Schultz returning to the lineup for Tuesday’s game at the Philadelphia Flyers. But whenever Schultz returns, the experience of enduring last season’s absence — his longest injury-related layoff as a pro — will aid in how he approaches this comeback.

“Last year was a really different thing,” said Schultz, who did not have a “noncontact” jersey on at practice. “I was out for four months, (and it was a) pretty serious injury. And this one, I have been doing a lot of rehabbing, lots of stuff, so I don’t think (re-acclimating) should be (the same sort of) problem.”

Still, Schultz acknowledged returning from an extended injury absence can require “a couple shifts, a couple periods” to get re-acquainted with game speed.

It was all but formally declared Monday that Schultz’ will return against the Flyers. What is not clear is if it will come Tuesday in Philadelphia or in the back end of what has to be the longest home-and-home series in NHL history.

Neither team will play between Tuesday and Jan. 31, when the Penguins host Philadelphia. Though Schultz said he “felt good” and was “pretty close” to being cleared and his preference was “sooner the better,” the prospect of an extra 10 days of healing could compel the Penguins to take a more cautious approach.

“For sure, (holding Schultz out Tuesday) is something that’s been and being discussed,” Sullivan said. “We would be foolish not to. That’s part of the conversation. It’s not the only part of the conversation, but … our guys, their return to play is based on what the medical staff thinks is best for the player, first and foremost, and then the team as a group and as a whole.”

Whenever Schultz returns, the boost the Penguins figure to get — to use the word Sullivan and defenseman Kris Letang used — will be “huge.” An All-Star for the Penguins three years ago, Schultz’s value to the team is exhibited by the fifth-highest salary-cap hit he carries ($5.5 million) of any player on the roster. His right-handed, puck-moving skills are among the league’s best for a defenseman.

The Penguins, though, have a decision to make on when to bring him back.

“You’ve got to make sure you’re 100% this time of year, especially,” Schultz said. “The playoffs would be different.

“Obviously, I want to play as soon as possible, but it’s about being smart.”

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