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
Jakob Chychrun – This horse is white hot with another 2 goals on Monday, and all he does is shoot the puck. He plays huge minutes and quarterbacks the top powerplay unit in DC. The Capitals are at home, playing well, and are up against a panicking Jets team who is without their MVP goaltender.
Denton Mateychuk – It remains to be seen if Werenski will miss time or not after leaving the game Monday with an apparent injury. With that being said, Mateychuk is an awesome young player that has been too cheap regardless. I think that coach Evason sees how good the kid is, and if Werenski misses time, I think that Mateychuk may get a look at the top powerplay unit as well.
Morgan Rielly – It has been a roller coaster year for Morgan, but the good news for him is that the CBJ are injured and leak goals to opposing defensemen. Rielly is the powerplay quarterback and is up against the CBJ, so that is enough to have me look his way in tournaments.
Cale Makar – This is a boring write-up that does not need to mince words. Makar is the best defenseman in the world and is at home against an inferior Sharks team. That’s it.
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
Vladislav Gavrikov – I feel like I am always talking about Gavrikov, but he plays a ton and blocks a ton of shots. The Hurricanes shoot the most in the league on top of everything. Sometimes you need a hero in your lineup.
Alexandre Carrier – The Mammoth like to shoot and Carrier likes to block shots. Carrier is a horse that kills penalties and actually is not afraid to shoot either. Montreal is on a little skid, and I can see an unsung guy like Carrier doing a job for his team in a spot like this.
🏁 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.
