The Bruins begin their defense of Lord's Stanley in three days

The countdown to the 2011-12 NHL regular season is ticking down by the second. With opening night taking place Thursday, here’s a look at the latest news from the Hub of Hockey and the league for Monday, Oct. 3.

Around the Hub

Greg Ezell from the popular site Days of Y’Orr has his five Bruins’ predictions for the 2011-12 season.

Continuing with the season previews, Stanely Cup of Chowder has their outlook for the Bruins’ defense.

Doug Flynn from NESN.com has the first of a four part feature on Bruins’ enforcer Shawn Thornton

As part of their team building activity today, the Bruins traveled to Great Diamond Island up in Maine. Seventy-seven people witnessed the event according to Mike McMahon of The Lawrence Eagle-Tribune (via @MikeMcMahonET on Twitter).

Around the league

Still not fully recovered from his concussion sustained in January, the Penguins put franchise forward Sidney Crosby on IR to start the 2011-12 season (NHL.com via Canadian Press).

Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin heads home to Moscow, Russia, due to a death in the family. (CBC)

The Battle of California has a “blindly optimistic preview” on the San Jose Sharks.

Finally, Mike Milbury voiced his dissatisfaction during a media call with NBC sports group on Monday when asked about this year’s slew of suspensions handed out by new NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan during the pre-season (Greg Wyshynski/Puck Daddy).