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
Apr 24, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) and center John Tavares (91) defends Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) during the first period of game four of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Morgan Rielly – This guy is under-priced around the industry and is a horse for his Leafs. This is a home game against his long term teammate Mitch Marner, which the core Leaf players will certainly be up for. Rielly is the top powerplay quarterback and plays big minutes. Another thing to be noted is that Chris Tanev is out, Jake McCabe is fighting an injury, and both Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Brandon Carlo may be injured and miss some time. At best, the Leafs will be playing with 3 injured defensemen, and the schedule doesn’t stop. The burden may fall on Morgan Rielly during this crucial stretch of the season.
Troy Stecher – Take all of the information from the Morgan Rielly write-up above, and apply it to Troy Stecher; minus the powerplay stuff. The Leafs are in defensive trouble, and Stecher may be see an all-purpose and situations role for this team while carrying heavy minutes. Stecher has been a literal hero in Toronto this season; their fans love and adore him.
Zach Whitecloud – Until his salary gets fixed around the industry, Whitecloud will be a solid hero for your fantasy lineups. The Flames are complete booty-cheeks, and the Capitals fire a ton of shots. I think the block bonus is in Whitecloud’s near future.
🏁 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.
