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
Adam Fox – This horse is starting to pick up his players again and pretty much does everything for the surging Rangers, including running their top powerplay unit. I expect a high scoring affair against this Detroit team that has had poor goaltending as of late. If the Rangers score multiple goals, Fox is usually sniffing around all of it.
Oct 26, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; The New York Rangers celebrate a goal scored by defensemen Adam Fox (23) during the second period against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Schaefer – The Wild will be playing their second game of a back to back, and UBS Arena has been a vibe this year. The rookie phenom has grabbed the league by the balls, and he seems to fear nothing. The Wild have stunk so far this year, and Schaefer has been awesome. I can do that math!
Josh Morrissey – The Jets will be very chalky on this slate having to play the free-wheeling San Jose Sharks. The Sharks have looked good, but play very care-free, and the Jets can punish that. Josh Morrissey is usually around all offensive upside with this team, and he runs their top powerplay unit to boot.
Rasmus Andersson – This guy is a horse/hero hybrid and he has been too cheap around the industry lately. The Flames have played better hockey in the past week, and remain at home against a middling Blackhawks team. The Saddledome is an annoying place to play, and Andersson and the Flames typically do more damage there. Andersson kills penalties and hops on the powerplay at times, and has several paths to fantasy relevance every time his skates touch the ice.
Ben Chiarot – This hero is a top pair and penalty kill type player that has the potential to block several shots against a surging Rangers team. If you need the savings this is a strong option.
Jake Middleton – Middleton is a hero that does a little bit of everything from a fantasy perspective when he sees the ice time. His playing time has ticked up a notch lately which makes him more relevant. When he gains the zone he shoots a lot, and he also kills penalties and blocks shots. On the second game of a back to back the Wild will look to keep it simple, and that is when Middleton provides his best production.
🏁 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.
