The Islanders are receiving another boost on the backend.

New York is officially activating defenseman Noah Dobson from long-term injured reserve ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Boston Bruins.

Dobson missed 11 games after suffering a lower-body injury during a late January win over the Blue Jackets.

The 25-year-old returned to practice shortly after the 4 Nations Face-Off break, and it appears that he’s progressed well enough that the team is comfortable with him slotting back into the starting lineup.

“I’m excited to be back,” he said pregame. “Obviously it sucks when you miss an extended period of time, but I feel good. I’ve got in some really good skates in with the team and I’m ready for a big test tonight.”

Dobson was one of New York’s most productive defensemen last season — putting together a career-high in points — but he’s seen his numbers decrease significantly as the calendar flipped to the new year.

The former first-round pick had just six goals and 18 assists in 46 games before the injury.

But with the Islanders remaining on the outside looking in at a crowded Eastern Conference Wild Card race, they could certainly use another player of his caliber contributing on the backend.

“He’s been working hard in practice, so I’m not nervous,” head coach Patrick Roy said. “What I want to see is just controlling the puck, jumping into the rush, defending well -- just do the things he’s been doing well since he’s been here.”

Dobson, an impending RFA, is in the final year of his pact with the club.

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