Thirteen days before Thanksgiving, the NHL and NHLPA have finally got down to business. Following the disappointing cancellation of the Winter Classic, the owners and players are speaking regularly. Having met a miraculous four consecutive days, the two sides are attempting to put an end to the third lockout under teflon commish Gary Bettman.

Maybe logic will prevail and we’ll have actual National Hockey League action to everyone’s satisfaction. The hockey community remains strong clinging to any hope for a ’12-13 season. In New York City, Ranger fans are desperate for the return of their beloved team, who may very well be Stanley Cup favorites if they return. Boasting a nucleus that includes Vezina recipient Henrik Lundqvist, Brad Richards, Rick Nash, Ryan Callahan, Marian Gaborik (still recovering), Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi, the Blueshirts could be on the verge of bringing Lord Stanley back to Manhattan. Derek Stepan, Mike Del Zotto and Chris Kreider are key pieces to the puzzle along with Carl Hagelin.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, there’s still no resolution. With owners conceding make whole for players, it’s brought the two sides closer. Can they agree on the percentage of revenue that would aid poor teams? Along with splitting up revenue without any disputes, these are critical issues as the season hangs in the balance. If they’re able to reach agreement on a new CBA, it should be strong enough to prevent another work stoppage. Otherwise, what’s the point? Our game can’t keep doing this to dedicated employees and legions of diehard puckers who came back in record numbers despite losing the entire ’04-05. That includes escalating prices and ridiculous costs on new jerseys that make me cringe. I’ll never pay that much for new threads. Virtual insanity.

Side related, I dreamt of a Ranger game at Madison Square Garden against the Islanders. This wasn’t your normal scenario. The Rangers scored the first two goals in 21 seconds. But the Islanders as they always do stormed back with three straight. However, my attention was on all the empty seats throughout the arena. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen. Even stranger, we were sitting on the edge of a train station. Imagine you’re at a hockey game and you can also see trains passing through dropping off and picking up people. Pretty unique. I have the coolest dreams. The idea of having a building where you can see a game, concert or big event and then walk to a point and catch the train is awesome. It would save passengers the hassle of rushing out to catch their ride.

It was only a dream. Yet two parts stuck with me. The empties at the first game back between bitter rivals and an arena subway system. Adding new meaning to light at the end of the tunnel.