By Kevin Flanagan

BDS Correspondent

The “Little Ball of Hate” is back and back big. Since starting the season adrift – looking disinterested and detached – the pesky little winger has caught fire just when the Bruins needed him most.

When he is right Brad Marchand is the type of player other players hate to play against. Always on the edge of what is dirty and what is not, the self proclaimed Nose Face Killah constantly finds a way to get in the opponents head whether it is a stick to the ribs in the corner or a face wash with his glove at the end of a scrum.

Couple that type of annoying antics with some dangle and finish and you have what the artist formerly known as Marshmont brought the Bruins during their Stanley Cup Final runs in 2011 and 2013.

Grit and goals.

With another 2 goals today – 1 shorthanded and 1 the game winner – the Bruins little train that could now has 6 goals in his last 4 games and 16 for the season, leading the club in that category. That is a long way away from a guy some were looking to move down in the lineup or move via trade (Ok, that could have been me…) just a few weeks ago.

When asked about Marchand’s play of late following today’s win against the Los Angeles Kings, center Patrice Bergeron said, “He’s taking what’s in front of him, he’s not forcing plays and he’s got it on a string right now. He’s making some unbelievable moves and it makes us better players on the ice right now and as a line.”

Asked if he had faith his game would return during the trying time that he went through early, Marchand said, “Yeah I think I knew during that stretch that eventually it was going to come around. I mean bounces had to start going our way and I mean it’s nice that pucks are going in. I’m playing with Bergy [Patrice Bergeron] and Smitty [Reilly Smith], two phenomenal playmakers, and they’re making it easier for me out there.”

Head coach Claude Julien – who at times had publicly prodded Marchand in his comments to the press – had this to say in his post-game interview on NESN about his pesky winger, “I think right now he is at the top of his game.”

Much like the old baseball adage of “keeping the line moving” by getting contributions from up and down the batting order, the Bruins offense is a function of the collective rather than the individual. Whether it is style or preference, the B’s choose to have a team that relies on balanced scoring from all 4 lines as opposed to a team that is top heavy with a big top line and a bunch of plumbers filling out the next 3.

Having been to the Finals in 2 of the last 3 seasons and looking as if they could make a strong push again this spring, I would say it is a system that is working just fine, thank you very much.

After faltering during their west coast 3 game swing, the Bruins have rebounded nicely highlighted with performances against the reigning champs yesterday in Chicago and in today’s tilt against the powerful and physical Kings. Either one of those they could find waiting if they make it to the Finals again this year.

In order to get there though, they are going to need every player to be at their best and contribute what the team expects from them regardless of their role. For the Bruins and their fans it is great to see that when it comes to Brad Marchand’s game, the hate is back.