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
Will Borgen – The cyborg is a hero that is having an increased role with both Adam Fox out, as well as Carson Soucy being traded last week. He basically has a higher floor because of added ice time, but he kills penalties on top of that. Carolina shoots a ton, so Borgen has a decent chance of getting a passable score with blocked shots.
Vladislav Gavrikov – I will keep this very simple. Copy and paste the Will Borgen description and apply it to Gavrikov, and then add the top powerplay quarterback responsibility, and Gavrikov becomes an overall solid play. Gavrikov plays a ton and does literally all of the special teams; get this horse in your single entry and cash game lineups.
Jamie Drysdale – Drysdale is a horse/hybrid play that is playing well and quarterbacking the top powerplay unit. He is at home against the Senators who cannot make a save. He is a very simple boom or bust cheap defenseman that is a strong overall play in all formats.
🏁 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.
