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
Denton Mateychuk – He is still super cheap and has been a hero for the CBJ this season. The youngster has 10 blocked shots in his last 2 games and is averaging over 22 minutes per game in this past week’s worth of games. Mateychuk is a good skater and can chip in fantasy wise in a variety of ways.
Jared Spurgeon – The Wild captain appears to be leading their powerplay as the Zeev Buium experiment may be coming to an end. The Wild have stunk so far this season, and their captain is going to try to help simplify their game. Pucks on net and blocking shots, that’s his game.
Marcus Pettersson – He is super cheap and plays big minutes. The Wild play a faster type of game and stink defensively, so there is a path to fantasy scoring here for Pettersson. He has a chance to block shots here, and he has a greater than normal chance to fall into a point.
Jake Sanderson – This horse is my darkhorse candidate to win the Norris Trophy. He is scalding hot right now and has been everywhere on the ice. Montreal plays a super fast-paced game, and Sanderson has a higher than normal chance to reach his upside in a spot like this. He should be considered in your cash lineups tonight.
Lane Hutson – Opposite of Sanderson is Hutson who can pop in any game. Hutson is a horse that plays big minutes and can score almost by accident at times. I expect a high scoring game here, and if that’s the case, why not roster an underpriced Lane Hutson.
Oct 12, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a goal by forward Connor McDavid (97) against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Evan Bouchard – Bouchard has been atrocious this season, and the Oilers have followed suit. This is a trend every October for the Oilers, but now October is over. Bouchard has taken criticism in the media for his lack of defense, but here, at home, I feel like he is due for an explosion. The Blackhawks have overperformed this year and the Oilers have underperformed, a correction will make sense here.
🏁 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.
