NHL Yahoo Cup: DFS Strategy, lineups for Round 2

After fantasy gamers had just two contests to select players from in Round 1 of the NHL Yahoo Cup, Round 2 has many more options.

The free-to-enter DFS tournament allows players to create a lineup every week with $5,000 in prizes being awarded.

With nine games on the slate for Thursday, here are some potential lineups to roll out for the contest.

Option 1: Coyote Ugly Stack

You're not going to see too many people stacking the Arizona Coyotes-Columbus Blue Jackets game tonight, which is why you should be doing so.

In a contest like the Yahoo Cup that has over 14,000 entries and just 60 prize slots for each individual round, you'll need to differentiate your lineup from the rest. This is a good way to do it.

All high-profile members of this game are relatively inexpensive. At forward, Nick Schmaltz, Lawson Crouse, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Patrik Laine are projected to play major roles for their teams, including top power-play unit duties. On the blueline, Jakob Chychrun and Zach Werenski will be manning the point on their respective squads.

With the remaining budget I had left, I was able to sprinkle in Steven Stamkos at center. You'll have enough salary left to go any way you like with that pick, I just chose to go with Stamkos.

Between the pipes, I chose Frederik Andersen and Andrei Vasilevskiy. Andersen will have a solid chance to earn the win in a home date with the New York Islanders, while Vasilevskiy is set up in a prime bounce-back spot on the road against the Detroit Red Wings.

Option 2: The Texas Rangers stack

Neither the Dallas Stars nor the New York Rangers are short on offensive star power, which means there's a good chance these two teams could fill the scoreboard.

After handily losing to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night, I expect a strong response from the Blueshirts. Ryan Strome, Chris Kreider, and Artemi Panarin make up New York's second line and all three also play on the squad's top power-play unit. I also selected Adam Fox from the Rangers, as the defending Norris Trophy winner is responsible for quarterbacking the first power-play grouping.

[Play in Round 2 of the NHL Yahoo Cup]

From the Stars, I selected Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn at forward. The two play together on the first line as well as the second power-play unit, which is arguably more talented than the first. Additionally, I picked Miro Heiskanen on defense as he'll also be featured on the second power-play grouping.

In net, I selected Andersen and Sam Montembeault. The latter is the second-cheapest goalie on the board, and he'll likely earn the nod for the Montreal Canadiens against the Buffalo Sabres, which is a winnable game.

Option 3: Kraken-Predators stack

Similar to the Coyote Ugly lineup above, this contest entry isn't one that you'll see very much of. Outside of each team's fans, nobody is really excited about a game between the Seattle Kraken and Nashville Predators.

The Kraken showed well in their first game, losing 4-3 to the Vegas Golden Knights after clawing back from a 3-0 deficit. Jared McCann, Jordan Eberle, and Jaden Schwartz each earned a point in Seattle's first-ever game. The trio makes up the team's first line and also serve as members of the first power-play unit. Additionally, I included Mark Giordano, who mans the point on the top man-advantage attack.

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From the Preds, I chose Ryan Johansen, Filip Forsberg, and Roman Josi. Johansen and Forsberg team up on the first line and top power-play unit. Interestingly, the latter has scored a goal in four consecutive season-openers, which isn't a bad thing considering Thursday's contest marks Nashville's first game of the year. Josi is a do-it-all defenseman who plays all situations - including the power play - for the Predators.

Between the pipes, I went with Andersen and Robin Lehner. Ideally, I wanted to snag Vasilevskiy but I was $1 short. Lehner is a fine consolation as he'll likely tend the twine on the road against the Los Angeles Kings.

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