NEW YORK (AP) - The NHL and the players' association resume negotiations Thursday afternoon, the third straight day the sides are meeting in an effort to end the lockout.

This is the 54th day of the lockout, and this week is considered critical for the hockey season to be saved.

Owners and players already have bargained for about 13 hours over two days this week at an undisclosed site in New York. Little information about the talks has been disclosed by either side.

This marks the fourth time in six days that face-to-face negotiations have taken place after both sides rejected proposals Oct. 18.

The lockout began Sept. 16 after the collective bargaining agreement expired. It has forced the cancellation of 327 regular-season games, including the New Year's Day Winter Classic in Michigan.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.