If you’re playing NHL DFS on DraftKings or FanDuel, you already know goalies and stacks are high priority. But the secret edge to climbing tournaments is finding those sneaky defensemen who fly under the radar—the Horses & Heroes. In this article, I’ll reveal my favorite undervalued NHL defensemen plays for this slate, explain why they matter for DFS strategy, and show you how to plug these picks into your lineups. Join the DFS Army today and get full access to our Discord, tools, and analysis that back every recommendation.
Horse – A defenseman that is more chalky than others that is a catalyst for their team. These players usually have higher ceilings, and can be used as the glue to bring a stack together. They typically quarterback the top powerplay unit and log a ton of minutes.
Hero – A hero is a cheaper defenseman that will be a role player on their NHL team. They usually kill penalties and are the unsung heroes that block shots for their team. They typically garner low ownership, have high floors, and are the key pieces needed to take down tournaments.
Horses & Heroes: Top NHL Defensemen to Target for DFS Lineups
Martin Fehervary – This hero plays big top pairing minutes and is on the top penalty kill unit for the Capitals. He goes super unnoticed back there which means he does a good job. He has a high floor and the CBJ love to shoot the puck this year.
John Carlson – The CBJ penalty kill has been atrocious this year to start, and Carlson has been running the powerplay for decades at this point. Carlson has a high ceiling and a better than normal chance to reach it here.
Ivan Provorov – The Capitals love to shoot and Provorov loves to block shots. This is a big test at home on a Friday night in Columbus and I feel like an unsung hero like Provorov is going to have a strong performance.
Oct 15, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan (23) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
Conor Timmins – I feel like I have written up this hero a lot recently, but it’s for a good reason. He has a high floor, plays big minutes, and this is a big revenge game for the giant blueliner.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Assuming Morgan Rielly sits, the Swede we call OEL should line up on the top powerplay unit for the Leafs. He is solid all the way around, but he may get a chance to show off his offensive chops.Dougie Hamilton – We can’t predict blowouts in the NHL even though the Devils are on a heater and the Sharks haven’t won yet this season. So, at home, Dougie Hamilton has the highest upside of all of the Devils D-men, so I will go there. Hamilton is a horse that is shoot first option on the top powerplay unit. The Devils should skate circles around the Sharks, especially at home.
Eric Gudbranson – He may be back in the lineup for the Blue Jackets, and if he does, he is the stone minimum salary possible on Draftkings. He blocks shots and kills penalties and is a late game hero.
🏁 Final Thoughts — Ride Your Edge
Every NHL slate is loaded with obvious plays, but it’s the sharp eye for undervalued Horses and Heroes that separates casual players from consistent winners. The best part? You don’t have to do it alone. Our members are crushing NHL DFS every season using the same projections, tools, and strategy chats that fuel this article.
👉 Join the DFS Army today and turn your lineups into weapons. Get full access to our NHL cheat sheets, optimizer, and private Discord coaching for every slate.
