[gamerk2]

Actually, the only reason human goalies are so difficult to play as [speaking as one with 250+ games] is that its impossible to play a 2 on 1 properly with a CPU defense; they don't attack the guy with the puck, which forces you to play halfway to cover the pass. The lack of a good sliding save animation doesn't help either. With a decent human defender to take away that option, playing Goalie is easy.

I've found the optimal lineup to be as follows:

Center: Two-Way [Help on defense and faceoffs]
Wings: Power Forwards [Good mix of scoring, passing, defense, and puck control]
Defense: Defensive/Two Way

Snipers are unneeded, as the AI goalie is easily exploitable [two on ones and short side]. Plus, they loose the puck too easily. Playmakers are decent all around, but like snipers, fall down too much to really be useful. Offensive Defensmen are a waste, as all builds have a good enough slapshot to be able to score from the blue line, nevermind you don't want them jumping the play too often.

As for strategies:

Forecheck: 1-2-2 low works wonders with two human players, as it helps the CPU defense not get beat.
Defense: Staggard [unless there is one human guy doing all the work, in which case collapsing makes more sense].
Breakout: Aggressive [for those two on ones the CPU goalies can not stop]
Defensive Pressure: Puck Side Attack [so they do SOMETHING constructive without always getting beat...].