Lulea's title was their first since 1996, but any suggestion they would be waiting another 29 years for their next were dispelled in the opening two minutes, where goals from Filip Eriksson and Markus Nurmi put them clear, before Jakob Wozniak made it 3-0 in the final minute of the first period.
Malmo had no answer in response, finding no way past goaltender Matteus Ward who made 21 saves as he began his season with a shutout. In attack, Lulea's evening belonged to Eriksson, who added another goal in both the second and third periods to complete his hat-trick in the 5-0 win.
Promoted from the HockeyAllsvenskan last season after a three-year absence, Djurgarden celebrated their return to the top flight with a dramatic 5-4 home win over last season's Semi-finalists Skelleftea.
August Berg's goal in the second period levelled things up at 2-2 after strikes from Oscar Lindberg and Jonathan Pudas put the visitors in front following Joey LaLeggia's opener.
With three minutes to play, Djurgarden looked to be cruising to victory after Jesse Ylonen, Jesper Pettersson and Emilio Pettersen put them 5-2 clear, but Lars Bryggman and Mikkel Aagaard hit back for Skelleftea, who set up a grandstand finish but could not send the game to overtime.
There were 11 goals on opening night in Gavle, but only four went the way of home side Brynas, who topped the Regular Season standings last season but begin this season with a 7-4 defeat to Vaxjo Lakers.
Otto Koivula but the visitors ahead, before two Johan Larsson goals put Brynas in front. But the Lakers wouldn't go away - Felix Robert tied the scores late in the first period before Kalle Kratz put them back in front early in the second.
The teams continued to trade goals in the second - Lucas Pettersson and Kieffer Bellows twice equalised, only for two Dylan McLaughlin goals to regain the advantage for Vaxjo, who ended period two 5-4 ahead.
But Brynas couldn't dig out another leveller in the third, as another Robert goal and an empty-netter from Reid Gardiner secured the three points for Vaxjo.
Also in the first round of SHL action, 2025's other beaten Semi-finalists Frolunda grinded out a 2-1 home victory over Linkoping, while Leksand, who missed the Playoffs last season, began with a 3-2 win over Timra.
Timra were eliminated in the Quarter-finals last term, as were Farjestad, who suffered the same fate on opening night this time, losing 3-2 to Rogle, albeit the visitors needed overtime to seal the win.
HV71 saved themselves from relegation last season in the Playout, but another tough campaign could be on the way, as they began with a 4-3 home loss to Orebro.
