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
Nick Seeler – One of the best teammates around for the Flyers is back and is skating on the 2nd pair and top penalty kill. Seller is as tough as the come and blocks everything in front of him. He is a hero on this slate.
Roman Josi – This horse appears to be back in full force this season and is looking great. He is playing a ton, being active with shots and blocks, and he is chipping in offensively. The Predators forward group doesn’t have enough offense surrounding it, so Josi has a huge role of generating offense.
Apr 5, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) shoots from one knee during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Ivan Provorov – This smells like an Ivan Provorov type of game for Columbus. This hero plays tons of minutes and gets in the way of everything defensively. The Avalanche have scary offensive players, so Provorov will be used a lot to get his big strong ass in their way.
Josh Morrissey – This horse is always viable because the Jets are usually a viable offense to stack. Morrissey is an offensive wizard that handles the powerplay duties in Winnipeg. The Flyers have sketchy goaltending, so there is a ceiling to be had here.
Matthew Schaefer – Probably the first of many write ups for this year’s first overall pick. He was already playing tons of minutes, and now he has been promoted to the top powerplay unit. He is the future of the Islanders, and he is a horse.
Adam Larsson – A higher end hero that plays on the top pair, as well as the top penalty kill unit. He plays all situations and is always in the way of shots. He plays tons of minutes, and generally comes with a high floor.
🏁 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.
