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
Denton Mateychuk – This hero has ran the top powerplay unit for the Blue Jackets with Zach Werenski on the shelf. Mateychuk is a very good 21 year old player that has 4 points in the last 3 games stepping up big time in all situations without the Jackets’ best player in Werenski. The powerplay upside is one thing, but Mateychuk is also playing over 25 minutes a game recently, which creates more avenues for fantasy relevance.
Damon Severson – Another defenseman that is stepping up in Werenski’s absence is the talented vet in Damon Severson. Severson has 5 points in the last 3 games without Werenski, however he is not playing as much as Mateychuk. This is a revenge game for Severson as well, which is an added motivation bonus. The Blue Jackets are 2nd in the NHL in defensemen scoring, which is why the first 2 guys on my list are cheap Jackets.
Cale Makar – This is the biggest horse of them all. Makar is the best defenseman in the world and he is on the best team in the world. The Avalanche are at home against an abysmal Blues team with poor goaltending, so Makar has a better than normal chance of having a great game with a pile of fantasy points.
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
Josh Morrissey – This horse is a minute muncher that is an elite powerplay quarterback. The Jets are very boom or bust, but Morrissey is cheaper than normal around the industry. Detroit plays a very fast style that concedes goals, and Morrissey can easily grab some fantasy production from that style.
Mattias Samuelsson – This dude is a hero for his Sabres team that has won 9 games in a row. Samuelsson blocks a ton of shots and plays a ton of minutes, and he is going to have to do that a lot against a superior Dallas Stars team. He also kills penalties and is out there in all crucial situations. Samuelsson has a high floor and usually cheap around the industry.
🏁 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.
