Based on the recent matches and current form, I suggest predicting in favor of the Avtomobilist team in the match against Barys. Avtomobilist is aiming to surpass Ak Bars and start the playoffs at home, so they have an additional motivation to win. Barys is currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, showing inconsistent results. Taking this into account and the strong play of Avtomobilist, the probability of their victory in regulation time is high.
According to statistics, Barys has won 3 out of their last 5 matches, indicating their good form. The home advantage also works in their favor. However, Avtomobilist has a stable roster and has already secured a spot in the playoffs, so they may not be as focused on winning. They are likely to be preparing calmly for the series against Ak Bars. Therefore, Barys, motivated for victory and supported by the home crowd, has a good chance of success, especially considering the potential relaxation of the opponent.
Prediction for the match Baris - Avtomobilist: a high-scoring game is expected with a total of over 4.5 goals. Both teams have shown attacking hockey in their recent matches and have scored a lot of goals against each other. Baris wants to finish the season brightly in front of their fans, and Avtomobilist has no need to play defensively. Taking into account the statistics of previous matches and the attacking potential of both teams, the likelihood favors a high-scoring game. In this situation, the total over 4.5 goals looks like a logical choice.
On February 23rd, as part of the regular KHL championship, Barys will host the Avtomobilist team. Both teams show good attacking play, but Barys has issues with defense – on average, they concede around 3 goals per game. Avtomobilist, on the other hand, has excellent attacking potential and scores approximately 2.4 goals per game. Even away from home, the team from Yekaterinburg has demonstrated a high level of attack, scoring around 2.6 goals on average. Taking into account Barys' defensive weaknesses and Avtomobilist's ambitious attacking capabilities, I predict that the away team's individual total will be over 2.5 goals.