Carter Verhaeghe's recent hot streak makes taking the over on 3.5 shots on goal a savvy play in tonight's matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers.

As the NHL season wraps up and the playoff picture becomes clearer, every game counts, and tonight's clash between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers is no exception. One player who's been absolutely crushing it lately is Florida's Carter Verhaeghe, and if you're looking for a solid prop bet to ride on this game, I've got the goods for you. Let's dive into why taking the over on Verhaeghe's 3.5 shots on goal is the way to go.

First and foremost, Verhaeghe's season averages are promising. Clocking in at 3.48 shots on goal per game, he's already knocking on the door of that magic 3.5 number. But the numbers get even juicier when we break them down by home and away games. In home games, Verhaeghe's shot average jumps up to 3.78, giving him a little extra edge for tonight's contest in Florida. On the road, he's still respectable with a 3.19 average.

Now, let's talk about trends. This season, Verhaeghe has had more than 3.5 shots on goal in 40 games and less than 3.5 shots on goal in 33 games. While that might seem like a fairly even split, the recent numbers tell a different story. Over the last 20 games, he's averaging a whopping 4.35 shots on goal, hitting over 3.5 shots in 15 of those games. Narrow the scope down to the last 10 games, and his average climbs to 4.7 shots per game, with nine games over the 3.5 mark.

But wait, there's more! Focusing on just the last five games, Verhaeghe's shot average skyrockets to 5.2, and he's hit over 3.5 shots in all of those contests. If that's not the definition of a hot streak, I don't know what is. And if you're still not convinced, here's the cherry on top: in the two games he's played against Toronto this season, he's averaged an impressive 5.0 shots on goal.

Pick #3 - Carter Verhaeghe o3.5 SOG - available on Draftkings @ -115