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
Tony Deangelo – This guy is an offensive specialist that somehow also is good at blocking shots. The lineup shows him quarterbacking the first powerplay unit and that would boost his ceiling quite a bit. Tony D is a good overall play in all formats with his upside and his overall playing time increase.
Damon Severson – Severson is a hero that is in a revenge narrative against his old Devils team. Severson has had a nice bounce back season and is even playing across from Zach Werenski. He has a decent floor, and a decently high ceiling with a role like that.
Artem Zub – Zub is a hero that plays on the top pair and kills penalties for the Ottawa Senators. He blocks shots and is also not afraid to fire the puck. The Senators are playing the Hurricanes in Raleigh and the Hurricanes shoot the most shot attempts in the league. I like the floor here for Zub with how many shots he could block here.
Oct 21, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes (86) reacts after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Dougie Hamilton – This horse is white hot and has a big points streak going on. With Luke Hughes on the shelf, and Hamilton being on the trade block, Dougie has been determined to make a difference for the Devils. Hamilton has re-taken his spot quarterbacking the top powerplay unit, and he has been scoring with that role. The Blue Jackets stink at defending trailing defensemen, and Hamilton loves to shoot the puck as well. I love the upside here for Hamilton at home against the Blue Jackets.
🏁 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.
