BOSTON (CBS) — Whether one’s political affiliations lean toward the right or left, there is one issue most Americans can agree on: The NHL lockout needs to end.

On that subject, the commander in chief is on everybody’s side.

President Barack Obama was a guest of Jay Leno on Wednesday night, and the talk show host jokingly asked the president if he could “pull some strings to end the NHL lockout.” It was certainly a topic not covered in any of the three presidential debates.

“I do have a comment on this,” President Obama said. “Every time these things happen, I just want to remind the owners and the players, you guys make money because you’ve got a whole bunch of fans out there who are working really hard, they buy tickets, they’re watching on TV.

“Y’all should be able to figure this out. Get this done. The fans deserve it.”

President Obama is no stranger to commenting on the sports world. He tweeted in late September that he hoped the NFL would resolve its issues with the league’s officials, and a deal was reached shortly thereafter. He also said years ago that college football needed a playoff system to replace the BCS, and such a system will be put into place next year.