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 eveal 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
Quinn Hughes – Hughes is a horse who is on a much better team now from both a hockey and fantasy perspective in the Minnesota Wild. The Blue Jackets are one of the worst teams in the NHL against opposing defenseman scoring. LaCombe scored the other night, and it has happened all season long against Columbus. Hughes plays a ton and does a ton, and I expect him to be all over Columbus in this great matchup for him.
May 20, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) handles the puck against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in game seven of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Travis Sanheim – He is still a horse on the top pair and powerplay unit for the Flyers, and he is making his final impressions before the Canadian Olympic team is announced. The Flyers are in the playoff mix in the Eastern Conference, and they know that they have to win games against inferior opponents like Buffalo if they want to still be there in March. Sanheim should continue to play a ton and have several paths to fantasy production in a game environment like this.
Jake Sanderson – The sand man is one of the top 5 or 10 best all around defensemen in the world and there are tons of reasons as to why he is motivated. He wants to confirm his team USA Olympic position and he wants his Senators to gain momentum back into the playoff race. The Penguins are in a similar position, so this is a big game. Sanderson does it all for the Senators and does it in a straightforward and no nonsense manner. I expect goals to be scored in this game, and if they are, Sanderson will be in the middle of all of it for Ottawa. The Penguins can’t make a save, and I like the home team here.
Nikita Zadorov – Big Daddy Zaddy is a hero that does it all for his Bruins. He plays well at home and is in a matchup against an Oilers team that loves to shoot. Zadorov blocks shots, kills penalties, and has sneaky offensive talent he sometimes flashes.
Denton Mateychuk – This hero is back on the top pair with Werenski and he has been buzzing. Mateychuk is a great young player that is very active and will get even more minutes in a fast-paced game. We can expect a high floor at low ownership for Mateychuk, with a small chance to pop a goal.
🏁 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.
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