NHL bets: Can't wait to back the Great 8 

With just four NBA games, we're turning to hockey with a packed 12-game schedule in the NHL. Plus, we could use a break from the hardwood. There are plenty of inviting spots on the ice this evening, and we're liking a pair of goal scorers to find the back of the net.

Grabbing some good-looking goal bets 

Alex Ovechkin goal (+125 FanDuel)

Alex Ovechkin has most definitely found his scoring touch of late for the Washington Capitals. The second-leading goal scorer in NHL history has piled up eight goals in his past five games, scoring at least once in each game.

Now, Washington hosts Detroit in a massive game between two teams jockeying for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Red Wings have been far looser on the road, allowing 4.3 goals per game over the past month and a half.

The true kicker resides on the power play, where Ovie thrives. Detroit's road penalty kill has been struggling, which is all we need to see to load up the star to keep the scoring coming.

Jake Guentzel goal (+165 FD)

Nothing like a little revenge spot to get the blood flowing. Jake Guentzel was traded from Pittsburgh to Carolina just a few weeks ago, and tonight marks Guentzel's first game against his former team.

It's coinciding nicely with what has been a steady offensive presence for the Hurricanes new acquisition. Guentzel is shooting like crazy and logging some high-quality looks to boot. Guentzel has scored in two of his past three on the road, and with the Penguins allowing 4.1 goals per game at home over the last 45 days, we'll gladly grab the star winger to score back in Pittsburgh.

In the news: Scandals galore ...

Jontay Porter being investigated for possible gambling ties — Some troubling reports came out yesterday regarding Toronto Raptors bench player Jontay Porter. An NBA investigation has launched, digging into potential irregularities involving prop betting on Porter on two separate occasions. On both nights, Porter's unders were the public's biggest "moneymakers" on DraftKings, and in both nights, Porter left the game almost immediately with mysterious injuries that were not previously reported. The dots that you can connect here are definitely disturbing, and may not be the last such incident that happens as gambling and professional sports in America become more and more intertwined. Just last week, NBA announced that NBA League Pass will now display live betting odds and allow you to wager right on the platform. 

Shohei Ohtani makes statement on former translator's betting scandal — If one betting scandal isn't enough, fret not, as we still have developments in this Shohei Ohtani-translator saga. Ohtani made a prepared statement yesterday and took no questions, stating that former translator Ippei Mizuhara was stealing from him and lying to him. The flip-flopping of this story hardly makes things any clearer, with the most looming question being: how did Mizuhara possibly access Ohtani's bank account? MLB surely does not want to punish one of the faces of the league, especially with the season getting going in earnest this Thursday, but for a sport that has kept Pete Rose out of the Hall of Fame, their response will be fascinating. 

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll. Follow him on Substack: griffybets.substack.com.