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
Mike Matheson – This hero plays tons of minutes a game and is at home against a Capitals team that loves to shoot. There is a path to fantasy production here with blocks and potentially shots on goal. Matheson is an interesting hybrid and single entry play with his floor/ceiling combo.
Cam York – This horse is at home and is playing the turdly Blues. York checks all the boxes as a top pairing defenseman that is on both the top powerplay and penalty killing units. He is a Swiss army knife that has several paths to fantasy gold.
Seth Jones – This horse has been on a tear as of late. He quarterbacks the top powerplay unit and lugs the mail for the Panthers. The Panthers overall are starting to pick up the slack, so strike while the iron is hot here.
Artyom Levshunov – This hero plays on the 2nd pairing and the top powerplay unit. The more minutes he is playing, the further he is progressing. Levshunov is super young in his NHL and he is growing every day. He is thriving with more responsibility, and a big home game adds more pressure which is good for him.
Vladislav Gavrikov – This hero plays huge minutes and kills penalties for his Rangers. He is on the road in Colorado which screams offense. The Avalanche love to shoot, so there is a chance of a lot of blocks in this game. Pace and minutes is a good recipe for fantasy production
Oct 15, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov (39) follows the play against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
🏁 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.
