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
Seth Jones – The Panthers are up against the Leafs who were already jetlagged from the Olympics, but are also somehow on a back to back in Florida right away, which is the toughest back to back in the league. If Jones is healthy is ready to go, he is in a great spot here. The Panthers are super desperate and are on the outside looking in, in regards to the playoffs.
Oct 26, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) rushes the puck down the ice in the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Casey Gower-Imagn Images
Roman Josi – Before the Olympic break Josi was really finding his game and putting up massive fantasy scores. Being at home against an inferior Blackhawks team is a great spot to pick up where he left off. The Predators are right there in the thick of the playoff race and Josi will be at the forefront of leading his team.
Artem Zub – Regardless of who even plays for the Senators after the break, Zub remains a strong pay down option. Zub is a hero that blocks shots, fires pucks on net, and kills penalties for his team. He plays big minutes on the top pair with Sanderson, and this is a big game against the Red Wings who play high event hockey. Zub is a safe and boring play in all formats.
Zach Whitecloud / Kevin Bahl – This is the same person, and they play on the same defensive pairing and penalty kill unit. I suggest playing the cheaper one. The Sharks play high event hockey so there is a high liklihood of the blocked shot bonus for 1 or both of them.
🏁 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.
