NEW YORK – The NHL and its players’ union are back at the bargaining table and seem determined to work toward a deal to save the hockey season.

The league and the union’s main negotiating teams met for 30 minutes Tuesday night. The NHL made a counter offer to the players’ proposal, and the union will review it. The sides likely will meet again today.

Small groups from each side met and conferred by conference calls all afternoon about provisions of a potential collective bargaining agreement. The two negotiating teams began meeting at 8 p.m.