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
Simon Nemec – Nobody ever knows who is on the point for the dangerous Devils powerplay, but in their last game Nemec did a great job at it. With the Devils blue-line banged up Nemec should also see plenty of minutes and is an interesting hybrid horse to just plug and play on this slate.
Mario Ferraro – This is a hero that plays big minutes and blocks a ton of shots. The Capitals like to shoot, so there is a path to fantasy goodness through blocked shots tonight in this one.
Jackson LaCombe – He hasn’t popped off much this year, but this horse is due. The Mammoth are trending downward right now and the Ducks are still a wagon of a hockey team. This matchup screams of offense, and LaCombe should be at the center of it for the Ducks.
Mar 14, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor (81) is congratulated by his team mates on his goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images
Josh Morrissey – Another offensively minded horse who gets to play at the Bell Center. The Jets coach called out his team at the end of the last game, and that means a big performance and effort should follow from the Jets. Morrissey is a low floor but high ceiling player who is best stacked with his teammates.
Cam York – York is doing it all for the Flyers this year and now he gets the Sabres at home. You cannot ask for a better spot and the Flyers are always going to be a desperate hockey team this year. York is always too cheap and he plays both the powerplay and the penalty kill for the Flyers.
🏁 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.
