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
Adam Larsson – Larsson is a hero that has hit the shot block bonus in 4 of his last 5 games. He plays a ton of minutes, kills penalties, and you guessed it, blocks shots. He is just a great high floor play that doesn’t have to correlate with anything to make him viable in a lineup.
Tyler Myers – This giant man is also a hero for his crappy Canucks team. On a small slate we have to get a little weird, and Myers is an interesting way to do that. He is playing a little under 20 minutes a game, but he is super active with shot blocks and shots on net. He has as good a chance as any to get a point in regards to cheap defensemen. On small slates we have to get gross and think outside the box.
Oct 26, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; The New York Rangers celebrate a goal scored by defensemen Adam Fox (23) during the second period against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Adam Fox – Fox is a horse that is upset about not making the Olympic team for team USA. He will not forget this and he has a point to prove. In his first game back he had 2 points, and Fox is sort of matchup proof when he wants to be. Skill and motivation are a dangerous combination.
🏁 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.
