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
Zach Werenski – This is the last game for the Blue Jackets before the Olympic break, and Columbus has played great hockey for a few weeks now. A home matchup against the Blackhawks is a great way to close the show, and this team is making a little noise. Zach Werenski is the best defenseman in the NHL currently and he is not afraid to shoot the puck. He can get there in fantasy in so many ways, which makes him viable in all formats.
Dmitry Orlov – Orlov is a horse priced closer to a hero around the industry. This large Russian man is both on the top powerplay and penalty kill units for the Sharks, which gives him different avenues to find fantasy relevance here. The Avalanche shoot a ton of pucks as well as have been shaky in conceding goals lately, which gives me more reason to potentially click the Orlov button in this spot.
Apr 9, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) passes the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-USA TODAY Sports
MacKenzie Weegar – This horse is in a crazy pace-up matchup in the battle of Alberta. This game is also in Calgary which gives it some extra juice. Even with Calgary out of the playoff race, they would live nothing more than to be a thorn in the side of their divisional rivals. Weegar does everything for the Flames and is one of the most active players in regards to shooting pucks and blocking shots. I see a player in good form that has a great game environment to gather fantasy points in.
Nick Perbix – Perbix is a hero for the surging Nashville Predators who will have another exciting game at home against a divisional rival. Perbix plays big minutes, kills penalties, and is not afraid to fire pucks on net. The Wild are a dangerous team that likes to shoot, and I simply like this high floor spot for Perbix here.
🏁 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.
