Metallurg Magnitogorsk won the Gagarin Cup and has an advantage in experience and lineup. They played confidently in the preseason. Lokomotiv did not strengthen their team and has problems in defense. Metallurg is strong at home and usually beats Lokomotiv. Prediction: Metallurg's victory.
Prediction: Lokomotiv's victory in the match against Metallurg. Lokomotiv had a successful preseason, winning 4 out of 5 matches, while Metallurg has issues with injuries and scoring. The Yaroslavl team wants to take revenge for the defeat in last season's final and start the new one strongly. Lokomotiv has a balanced squad and good chemistry, which will allow them to win the opening match.
In the KHL season opener match between Metallurg and Lokomotiv, low scoring is expected. Both teams have had a good preparation for the season, focusing on a defensive style of play. A recent final showdown showed their equality, and the teams are well acquainted with each other. Lokomotiv does not demonstrate an attacking style of hockey, and Metallurg is ready to adapt to any style. Considering both teams' tendency towards a closed game and a minimal number of goals in previous meetings, it is expected that the total goals scored will be less than 4.5, making it the optimal choice for this match.
The start of the new KHL season will be marked by the match between Magnitogorsk and Lokomotiv. Both teams showed a high level of attacking hockey in the preseason matches. At the beginning of the season, teams may be less defensive, which leads to more goals scored. Considering the high motivation and attacking potential of both teams, I expect a high-scoring game with a lot of goals. Therefore, I am betting on the total over 4.5 goals in the game.