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
Artem Zub – Zub is a hero that plays top pairing minutes with Sanderson, but doesn’t play on the powerplay. They also kill penalties together. Zub does a little bit of this and a little bit of that to produce fantasy points, and the game environment in Colorado requires blocked shots and a strong game from the big Russian defenseman.
Pavel Mintyukov – Although the Ducks have been quarterbacked by Jackson LaCombe recently, who is great, the current lull has made the coach switch things up to get a different look. Mintyukov is young, and is now getting a chance to play in all situations, including the top powerplay unit. Keep an eye on this, because if this is true, he becomes a great play in all formats.
Cam York – This dude is sort of a horse/hero hybrid for me. He is usually cheap around the industry and is slated on the top pair, top powerplay, and the top penalty kill. That is a big role for a guy that has flashes of talent. At home against a hot Toronto team is a good spot to accrue fantasy points as well.
Cale Makar – The best player on the best team is not something to be overlooked. Makar is the glue that holds the Avalanche together, and this game environment against the Senators is a good one to possibly reach a ceiling game. Don’t overthink this play, and bet the over on the game total.
Oct 24, 2022; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates after scoring against the Dallas Stars in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
🏁 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.
