In NHL lockout news, the NHL and NHLPA will meet Tuesday in New York with the goal of building on the series of meetings the two No. 2's -- Bill Daly and Steve Fehr -- had on Saturday.

In Tuesday's meeting, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr are expected to join the fray. The hope is that meetings will continue throughout the week.

Again, cautious optimism right now, and please see yesterday's blog if you didn't read it.

I'll also be on KFAN live and in-person with Paul Allen from 9:55 a.m.-11 a.m. on Tuesday.

In Gophers news, despite splitting with Minnesota State Mankato this past weekend in a couple disjointed games, the Gophers retained the No. 2 position in both the USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls.

Boston College remains atop both.

Here is the USCHO.com poll, with Denver sitting 3, North Dakota 6, St. Cloud State 15 and Minnesota-Duluth 20.

Here is the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll. Denver is 3 and North Dakota is 6.