BOSTON (CBS) – Boston Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg participated in the team’s morning skate on Friday, but still remains a game-time decision for tonight’s meeting with the New York Islanders.

Seidenberg, who has missed the last two games with a lower body injury, will take the ice again prior to the game, and head coach Claude Julien and the B’s medical staff will then decide if the defenseman laces them up for the first time since Boston’s opening night win over the Rangers last Saturday.

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“I can tell you I’m more optimistic than pessimistic, but again, game-time for the right reasons that we want to make sure that he is ready to go,” Julien told reporters Friday morning.

Seidenberg and the rest of the Bruins got Thursday off, something we’ll see more of in the lockout-shortened season.

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The defenseman said getting Thursday off helped, but the he and the team want to be smart about his return.

“You have to look at it, especially with a back to back coming up and four games next week,” said Seidenberg. “You have to be smart, and that’s what they’ve done so far.”

Seidenberg skated next to rookie Dougie Hamilton on Friday, who he was paired with in the B’s season opener.