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
Mikhail Sergachev – The Sabres stink in general and the Mammoth are a superior team. Sergachev is a key cog in the machine that keeps the Mammoth Mammoth’ing (I guess is a new turn of phrase). Huge minutes muncher, top powerplay guy, and on the penalty kill. He plays all the important minutes down the stretch of games as well. He is my favorite upper echelon defenseman play of the slate.
Sep 22, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) shoots on goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Sean Walker – As of right now he is quarterbacking the top powerplay unit, but I still like him even if the Canes get healthier. Walker plays big minutes and contributes on both the powerplay and penalty kill. A little bit of this, and a little bit of that never hurt anyone.
Shea Theodore – Detroit plays pond hockey and Theodore can skate and move pucks in that environment. Shea is a horse that is quarterbacking the top powerplay unit and providing offense in every minute he plays for Vegas. He also gets the slight home ice bump. Bet the over on this game because this will be a wild one.
Niko Mikkola – The Ducks like to shoot and Mikkola likes to block shots. Another big defensive defenseman that blocks shots and kills penalties. Mikkola also has shown offensive upside in this last playoff run, and Florida needs some random heroes while they are all banged up.
Mattias Samuelsson – Utah is buzzing and can shoot from everywhere. Samuelsson is a top pairing defensemen for the Sabres that logs big minutes and kills penalties. This isn’t a sexy pick, but I like the cheap floor/ceiling combo that this hero provides in a game environment like this.
Nikita Zadorov – The Islanders have flipped the script on past years and actually play a fast brand of hockey. Zadorov is a top pairing hero that kills penalties and is typically cheap industry wide. This is a solid spot to block some shots and score some cheap fantasy points.
🏁 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.
