Easiest way is to go 28 to the Highland Park bridge, then take route 8 up through Oakland. It takes you right in front of the CEC, and oakland has very little traffic on the weekends, especially in the summer, because of Pitt
- cap1681

Very ironic to have to tell somebody to use 28 to avoid traffic.

We just sell our tickets, stay home and watch on the big ol' sixty incher, and drink lots of beer! No traffic to worry about, and playoff tickets go a LONG way towards paying for next year's plan!

I think the Bruins have a very good 1st D-pairing in Chara/Seidenberg, but have had their defensive Dman depth devestated by injuries. NYR couldn't exploit that due to their own lackof Offensive depth, but the Pens certainly can. Just have to hit Chara & Seidenberg at every oppurtunity & get goals from the 3rd/4th lines aginst the Bruins depth Dmen.
- s0rcerer1984

Getting a lot of hits on Chara will certainly be helpful, but I dont think Boston's D is going to be a big problem for us. Outside of the couple of young guys they have in Krug and Barts, the veterans on that defense are not very mobile. The couple of guys I saw have success opening up space against them last series were Hagelin, Kreider and to some extent Stepan. All guys with speed(they just lack finishing touch). Same goes for what Toronto was able to do. Pens should be able to do that and bury the opportunities, and at the very least run those immobile Dmen ragged.

On a side note:I remember a certain # of sens fans coming around talking about their team speed which never really showed itself. I am going out on a limb and saying the same will be said for the "physical Boston D" when this series is done. They are going to have a hard time hitting what they will be chasing all night.

Very ironic to have to tell somebody to use 28 to avoid traffic.
- Rawdog9755

Isn't that the truth! I live in the North Hills and I NEVER use 28, but that road with all it's orange barrels will be a picnic compared to the Parkway East. I fully expect people to miss some or most of the game if they're not aware of the quagmire that will be the Parkway East tomorrow. The last time they shut that down I believe people spent 3 hours or more in detours. Really ridiculous they couldn't postpone that work considering all the events this weekend.

Isn't that the truth! I live in the North Hills and I NEVER use 28, but that road with all it's orange barrels will be a picnic compared to the Parkway East. I fully expect people to miss some or most of the game if they're not aware of the quagmire that will be the Parkway East tomorrow. The last time they shut that down I believe people spent 3 hours or more in detours. Really ridiculous they couldn't postpone that work considering all the events this weekend.
- madmike71

I work in Sharpsburg and live in Wexford. 28 is so bad that I will drive the entire way on Mt Royal and Fergusson(towards ducan manor) just to avoid that mess. Pretty bad when you are opting for 2 lane roads with 35mph speed limits over a 4 lane "borderline" highway.

Isn't that the truth! I live in the North Hills and I NEVER use 28, but that road with all it's orange barrels will be a picnic compared to the Parkway East. I fully expect people to miss some or most of the game if they're not aware of the quagmire that will be the Parkway East tomorrow. The last time they shut that down I believe people spent 3 hours or more in detours. Really ridiculous they couldn't postpone that work considering all the events this weekend.
- madmike71

I am not too familiar with highways around downtown Pittsburgh since I couldn't drive when I lived there. I am driving in from Chicago and Google has me coming in 79S to 279S to 579S. Should I expect to hit any of the crazy closures/detours?

I am not too familiar with highways around downtown Pittsburgh since I couldn't drive when I lived there. I am driving in from Chicago and Google has me coming in 79S to 279S to 579S. Should I expect to hit any of the crazy closures/detours?
- mw630

Nope--you are good to go. Driving into Pitt from the north is the easiest way(which you are doing). Only place you will potentially hit any traffic is the last 1/2 mile of 579 before you get off at 6th/7th street exit. I assume you are taking 76 all the way to 79 in Cranberry?

Very ironic to have to tell somebody to use 28 to avoid traffic.
- Rawdog9755

The Highland Park Bridge is before all the construction. From the east, 28 is the best way into the city during rush hour. Out of the city in the afternoon as well. 28 is not as bad as everybody says, especially lately.

The Highland Park Bridge is before all the construction. From the east, 28 is the best way into the city during rush hour. Out of the city in the afternoon as well. 28 is not as bad as everybody says, especially lately.
- cap1681

The single lane spots around 40th st arent that great currently, but agreed that as long as you are going against the flow of traffic it isnt horrific. Out of the city in the afternoon gets very congested right around the Heinz plant.

Nope--you are good to go. Driving into Pitt from the north is the easiest way(which you are doing). Only place you will potentially hit any traffic is the last 1/2 mile of 579 before you get off at 6th/7th street exit. I assume you are taking 76 all the way to 79 in Cranberry?
- Rawdog9755

Yep I am. Thanks for the letting me know. I'm leaving here at 8:00AM CST, should give us plenty of time to get there with plenty of time to enjoy pre-game festivities.

The single lane spots around 40th st arent that great currently, but agreed that as long as you are going against the flow of traffic it isnt horrific. Out of the city in the afternoon gets very congested right around the Heinz plant.
- Rawdog9755

It moves quickly though. Usually from getting on 28 to getting through the construction at the 40th st bridge, is about 10-15 minutes. Compare that to sitting on the parkway trying to get through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel, and it's not that bad.

"Much has been made about the four remaining playoff squads winning the last four Stanley Cups, but no one has mentioned that the four teams employ the same four coaches they won the Cup with."

A good point, John. Perhaps it is also worth noting that the Bruins are the only team remaining without their most recent Conn Smythe winner on their roster.

"Much has been made about the four remaining playoff squads winning the last four Stanley Cups, but no one has mentioned that the four teams employ the same four coaches they won the Cup with."

A good point, John. Perhaps it is also worth noting that the Bruins are the only team remaining without their most recent Conn Smythe winner on their roster.
- kill.monsters

And also that 3 out of the 4 teams are using differnt goalies a present time.

Yep I am. Thanks for the letting me know. I'm leaving here at 8:00AM CST, should give us plenty of time to get there with plenty of time to enjoy pre-game festivities.
- mw630

Have a safe trip! Like the others have said, you should be good with that route. GO PENS!

And also that 3 out of the 4 teams are using differnt goalies a present time.
- cap1681

another excellent point!

Marchand : "We're in over our heads."

Have a safe trip! Like the others have said, you should be good with that route. GO PENS!
- madmike71

Thank you! June 1st was a great day in 1992, hoping for the same thing this year. Not a bad way to celebrate a birthday.

I don't understand why anyone would live out 28 or 376 (either direction). Every time I hear or see a traffic report I feel no pity for them.

And /2cents. I would avoid Oakland or anywhere near Squirrel Hill. I'd say get off of the turnpike at Cranberry and take 279 south or 65. Good luck.

The Highland Park Bridge is before all the construction. From the east, 28 is the best way into the city during rush hour. Out of the city in the afternoon as well. 28 is not as bad as everybody says, especially lately.
- cap1681

Agreed. Even with the construction, 28 is MUCH better than it used to be because they closed the intersection with the 31st St Bridge, which eliminated the traffic lights that would bring everything to a halt. The new design which is taking shape has ramps instead of lights, which will make the whole thing really flow.

I am not too familiar with highways around downtown Pittsburgh since I couldn't drive when I lived there. I am driving in from Chicago and Google has me coming in 79S to 279S to 579S. Should I expect to hit any of the crazy closures/detours?
- mw630

As others have said, you should be fine, but I'd still try to get downtown extra early. The Pirate game likely starts at 7PM and is likely to be a sellout (nice night, team playing great and Cincy is in town), so just trying to find a parking spot downtown is going to be a challenge. My advice would be get there early, walk around downtown and get a bit to eat while you are at it. Have fun!

As others have said, you should be fine, but I'd still try to get downtown extra early. The Pirate game likely starts at 7PM and is likely to be a sellout (nice night, team playing great and Cincy is in town), so just trying to find a parking spot downtown is going to be a challenge. My advice would be get there early, walk around downtown and get a bit to eat while you are at it. Have fun!
- Emperor Filonius

I appreciate all the suggestions. Definitely going to try to get there by 5:00 PM. Thankfully, we're staying at a hotel that is less than a half mile from the CEC.

I appreciate all the suggestions. Definitely going to try to get there by 5:00 PM. Thankfully, we're staying at a hotel that is less than a half mile from the CEC.
- mw630

Apparently you came to the right place for directions today

Apparently you came to the right place for directions today
- Orpik44

Haha no joke. The only positive is the traffic can't possibly be any worse than in Chicago.

Remember when hockey was played in the eastern conference.......good times.

Haha no joke. The only positive is the traffic can't possibly be any worse than in Chicago.
- mw630

Yeah, but the roads make much less sense.