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
Evan Bouchard – The Oilers will be pissed off after their collapse against the Avalanche where they gave up 9 goals. The CBJ have been terrible recently and they tend to give up points to opposing defensemen. Bouchard is an elite powerplay quarterback and puck mover, and the CBJ can’t make a save this past week. A good spot and a fair price for the slate’s defenseman with the highest ceiling.
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
Brendan Dillon – This hero plays big minutes, kills penalties, and blocks everything in front of him. On sites that reward blocks heavily, Dillon is a very strong option. This is a high-flying game with lots of shot volume, so I like his floor for his DFS salary.
Ryan Pulock – Another hero that plays big minutes and blocks a ton of shots. He also can shoot a puck around 100 mph, so look out! This hard shot can lead to him falling ass-backwards into some fantasy scoring production as well. No one wants to block that shot in a regular season game.
Denton Mateychuk – Too cheap for how good this kid is, and how many minutes he plays. He is playing 22 minutes a game lately without sniffing special teams. Mateychuk is crafty, likes to shoot, and isn’t afraid to block a shot.
Zach Werenski – This horse plays enormous minutes, and the CBJ are desperate to right the ship. He has the highest floor/ceiling combo on the slate and does everything for his team in all situations.
🏁 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.
