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
Jacob Trouba – This horse/hybrid guy has benefited mightily from a change of scenery out of NYC. He does a little bit of everything for the Ducks and has been super active while playing huge minutes. Going from the captain in NYC to a blue-collar lunch pail guy on the beach has completely revamped Trouba. This is a fast-paced pond hockey type of game, which means that Trouba’s activity should result in fantasy production.
Cale Makar – This horse is on the best team in the NHL and they are facing the Buffalo Sabres on the second game of a back to back. Pretty simple break down here, the Avalanche will be chalk, and Makar is the best defenseman in the world.
Oct 20, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) warms up on the ice before the game between the San Jose Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
MacKenzie Weegar – Weegar is a horse that is at home against the Sharks. Somethings got to give with the Sharks who haven’t conceded many goals lately. As the powerplay quarterback, a key penalty killer, and minute muncher, Weegar has several paths towards production. This is a good matchup pace wise for him to block some shots, fire pucks on net, and maybe find a point.
Ivan Provorov – He has been on the top pair with Werenski and is playing a ton of minutes. He also kills penalties which leads to multiple paths to scoring fantasy points. He is the unsung hero of Columbus.
Esa Lindell – The Finnish hero of Dallas. Lindell plays on the top pair, top penalty kill unit, and 2nd powerplay unit. He can do a little bit of everything, and the matchup is promising with Montreal upping the pace of play. This is more of a safe higher floor play that is viable in smaller fields.
Bowen Byram & Owen Power – With Rasmus Dahlin out, both of these young guys entering the early part of their prime need to step up for Buffalo. Dahlin’s timetable is not known, so these guys have to understand the opportunity they have and the job they have ahead of them. Both will play a ton of minutes, but Bowen Byram is slated to quarterback the top powerplay unit. Power will play more shutdown and penalty kill minutes, and chip in on the 2nd powerplay unit. These guys needed to be clumped together, and they have a big job to do and large shoes to fill.
🏁 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.
