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
Rasmus Dahlin – Dahlin is a horse that wants to make the playoffs for the first time in his career. The Panthers will be playing their 2nd game of a back-to-back, with Bobrovsky playing in the first leg. Buffalo is in a good offensive spot, especially with Florida banged up and fatigued.
Nov 11, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) looks to pass the puck in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Jackson LaCombe – Another young horse here on a team that has to fight like hell to make the playoffs. The Jets are super banged up without Morrissey and Pionk on defense, and Hellebuyck is due for negative regression after figuratively blowing his load at the Olympics on his way to a legendary gold medal performance. The Jets are firmly in last place and are playing for nothing. The Ducks could score and LaCombe is a strong candidate to find the scoresheet if so.
John Marino – Marino is a hero that plays solid minutes and kills penalties for the Mammoth who are battling for a playoff spot. The Wild are on the 2nd game of a back-to-back and Utah is at home. The Wild fire a ton of volume on net, and I think this is a good spot for Marino to block shots and produce fantasy production.
🏁 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.
