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
Nov 9, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) shoots against Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) during the third period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
Zach Werenski – The other best defenseman in the league is Werenski, who plays even better at home. Columbus is at home against a Flyers team that plays firewagon hockey. This chaotic game environment is one Werenski thrives in, and he always has the highest ceiling on any slate he plays.
Braden Schneider – This hero will be relied upon more with Carson Soucy being traded to the opponent. Schneider is going to play more minutes and kill more penalties, which leads to blocked shots and fantasy relevance.
Scott Mayfield – This guy has been a hero forever. Now, he is slated to be on the top pairing and top penalty kill for the Islanders. He has always blocked a ton of shots per minute of ice time, so I expect a high floor in this spot. He should see more ice time, which creates more opportunities for a higher score.
🏁 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.
