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
Jake McCabe – McCabe is a hero for his team that plays big minutes and kills penalties. No one is safe on the Leafs in regards to the trade deadline, but I think if Jake McCabe gets traded it is after some of his teammates. McCabe has a high floor here in a spot against the Devils who love to shoot.
Simon Edvinsson – Edvinsson does all the little things for his team, and Vegas is on the second game of a back-to-back. The young Swede is a hero for his team and has a high floor with upside. He also does well at home, and this spot is just too solid to pass up for me in several formats.
Jan 12, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin (71) heads to the bench after celebrating his power play goal against the Seattle Kraken with forward Alex DeBrincat (93), forward Lucas Raymond (23), and defenseman Moritz Seider (53) during the second period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
Filip Hronek – Hronek has the best floor/ceiling combo on the slate in my opinion. He is a horse for his team that quarterbacks the top powerplay unit, as well as the top penalty kill unit. Carolina shoots the most in the league, so all bonuses are in play for the Czech defenseman.
🏁 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.
