Big hurdles remain as NHL, players work to end lockout on New Year's Day Two sides appear to be getting serious about labour negotiations By BRUCE GARRIOCH, QMI Agency

NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr speaks to the media at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ont., Dec. 19, 2012. (FRED THORNHILL/Reuters) Penguins forward Sidney Crosby hopes for NHL exhibition games NHLPA hasn't ruled out disclaimer of interest NHL, players look to resolve woes in the New Year NHL, NHLPA head back to bargaining table

NEW YORK - A block off Broadway, the NHL and NHL Players' Association put the theatrics aside and got down to business.

The question is: Will it stay that way when they get back together for a third straight day Wednesday?

The two sides resumed talks around 9 p.m. Tuesday at the NHL's headquarters on Sixth Avenue. There, the league submitted a response to the proposal the union submitted Monday and the NHLPA retreated to study what had been tabled.