JJ Moser Becoming Essential to Lightning
JJ Moser’s rise with the Tampa Bay Lightning has been quietly impressive, the kind of story that doesn’t always make the highlight reels but shows up in every game he plays. Drafted in the second round, 60th overall, by the Arizona Coyotes in 2021, Moser spent three seasons there scoring 16 goals and 72 points in 205 games.
He showed steady development, but it’s in Tampa Bay that his skill set and personality have found a perfect fit. With a fast, intelligent playmaking style and a quiet, joyful presence, Moser has adjusted seamlessly to the Lightning’s system, helping energize a team that struggled out of the gate this season.
Tampa Bay From Last to First in the Division Standings
Tampa Bay started 1–4–2, a record that had fans and analysts questioning whether the Lightning could contend in a competitive Atlantic Division. Fast forward less than a month, and the story is dramatically different: the team sits at 13–7–2, going 12–3 over their last 15 games, soaring from last to first in the division with one of the best records in the NHL. Two factors stand out behind this resurgence: Andrei Vasilevskiy returning to his elite form in net and young players stepping up to complement the veteran-heavy lineup.
Even with injuries to top defenders Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh, who have been out for seven games, and Erik Cernak missing multiple contests, the Lightning have maintained stability on the back end. This has allowed rookies and young defensemen to play larger roles than anticipated. Charle-Edouard D’Astous earned praise from Jon Cooper for thriving under these circumstances, and JJ Moser has been similarly lauded. Usually paired with Hedman, Moser has now stepped up to a leadership role among the remaining defensemen, filling the void left by the injured veterans.
Cooper Praises Moser’s Poise and Reliability
Tampa Bay hasn't let the injury bug slow them down at all, which has left their head coach extremely impressed. After the Lightnings' fourth consecutive win, a 3–0 shutout against the Philadelphia Flyers — their first of the season — Cooper spoke about Moser’s impact during the postgame presser.
“Well first of all, how about that block he made in the third period? That’s the kind of effort you’re getting from guys. I think we’re not looking at the scoreboard saying it’s 1–0, 2–0, we gotta make it 5–0. It’s 1–0, 2–0, let’s keep the zero a zero, and Mose [Moser] has been doing that for us. You need some breaks along the way — the goalie’s stopping everything, but at times he might be in trouble and Mo bailed him out on that one play."
Cooper’s words underscore Moser’s value: a steady, reliable presence capable of maintaining structure and composure in high-pressure situations. He may not always be flashy, but his defensive intelligence and ability to contribute both offensively and defensively have quickly made him indispensable. Tampa Bay's head coach also had this to say about how impressed he's been with Moser, while also possibly giving him a new nickname.
"Mo’s a hell of a player. You have some of the names on the backs of the jerseys of the guys that have come through here and play here now, and he just goes about his business. He’s quietly a complete 200-foot defenseman. He’s like an eraser. Every time something breaks down, he erases the mistake, and it’s great to have him back there.”
As the Lightning continue to push through the 2025/26 season with significant injuries, Moser’s growth provides reassurance that Tampa Bay can maintain elite performance on the back end. If he continues to play at this level, he could become one of the unsung heroes of a team looking to return to championship form. With Cooper’s praise and the team riding high, the future looks bright for both Moser and the Lightning.
Mike Greenberg Predicts Dak Prescott vs. Patrick Mahomes Week 13 Showdown Will Be an All-Time Classic
Dak Prescott and his Dallas Cowboys have been inconsistent, but have started to show flashes of what they can do when they are dialed in.
Dak Prescott and Patrick Mahomes had varying levels of success in their respective Week 12 encounters, but both emerged victorious as their teams improved their chances of making the playoffs.
Next week, the two will clash when the Dallas Cowboys welcome the Kansas City Chiefs in a battle that will have ramifications as the season progresses.
Both are currently 10th in their respective conferences and would like to win by a decent margin if they are to move up the charts. On one hand, Prescott and his high-powered offense will face one of the best defenses in the league.
On the other hand, Mahomes and his inconsistent offensive unit will face a retooled Cowboys defense that is still working to maximize its potential.
It sets up what will be the most anticipated, and Stephen A., I’m going to predict, most viewed NFL regular season game in the sports history on Thursday.
Mike Greenberg said on First Take
The Get Up host decided to stick around on ESPN’s new Manhattan studios to rub it in on Stephen A. Smith, who loves to have a good laugh whenever the Dallas Cowboys fail.
After trolling the First Take host, Mike Greenberg laid out how their respective playoff situations and their recent form make the upcoming Week 13 clash a must-watch. He believes both teams will give it their all, as their postseason appearance depends on the outcome of this game, potentially making it an All-Time classic.
Mike Greenberg believes Dak Prescott and Cowboys will have a ‘magical run’
Greenberg was not done talking about the Dallas Cowboys on First Take to take shots at Stephen A. Smith. After talking about the upcoming game, the 58-year-old made a prediction.
Magical things can happen coming off wins like this. If the Cowboys win on Thursday, Stephen A., and I’m predicting they will, I believe the Cowboys will make a second half run… I think the Cowboys have a real shot.
Mike Greenberg said
Not only does he believe that Dak Prescott and the Cowboys will win, especially after watching how they came back to stun the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles.
But he also believes it will be the start of a run that will lead them to the playoffs. The Cowboys admittedly have an easy schedule once they clear both the Chiefs and the Detroit Lions in Week 14. Then, it should be plain sailing all the way to the playoffs.
