I think Eddie goes to a lot of the matches. PNC really doesn't have any bad seats. If yall are up in the top, hang on to the youngones, it is a bit steeper than normal. If you get up during the period, they may not let you walk back into your seat until the play stops. If you have to "pick up" your tickets, I'd plan 1.5 hours early, but doors don't open until 1hr before puck drop so plan to get there around that time. You will get lost inside so it may take 15 minutes to find your seats. Keep your ticket with you at all times as sometimes the ticket Nazis won't let you back to your seat if you get up.
We usually go once a year. Parking at the PNC arena is $20 or free if you want to park on Carter Finley or the fair grounds and walk. Park like you want to get out ASAP as it is usually crazy when 15-18,000 are leaving at once. Closer to the arena = longer to get out. You can plan ahead on trying to get out one way, but just plan on getting out any way (most likely you won't have a choice due to how they direct you), then once on a bigger road (Blue Ridge, Edwards Mill/Wade Ave) decide how to get home from there.
Security is just below airport level. Plan on bags looked into and coats checked/wanded. No pocket knifes.
https://www.pncarena.com/policies
Food and beer have their typical stadium mark ups. It isn't cheap but there are some good eats there (cheese steaks, beef sandwiches, peppers & onions) heart attack indigestion fests.
Typically since we only go once a year we:
-Eat dinner elsewhere
-Arrive 1hr 15 before start.
-Pay to park at PNC
-Usually takes 5-15 mins to get through the doors and security.
-Walk around and check things out, grab a drink and sit down and watch warm ups (I think start around 45 mins before puck drop)
-Watch the game and get a snack or check out souvenir stand during the intermissions.
-Leaving is a mess, either run like heck and get out asap or just take it slow and wait.
Back in college I could get tickets for $15 and we went to a lot of games the year they won the Stanly cup. We would park at the fair grounds and drink a few beers to the door (cheaper this way). Then by the time you walked back to your truck most of the traffic was on the way out.
As far as the rules, look up "icing" the puck to understand this and how the blue lines are used.
https://www.startplayinghockey.com/ice-hockey-rules/