Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

After a woeful start to the season and swirling trade rumors surrounding him, Brad Marchand has caught fire. His two goals Monday afternoon pushed the Bruins past Western Conference powerhouse Los Angeles, 3-2.

In Marchand’s last four games, he’s netted six goals on 15 shots and boasts a +5 rating. The Bruins are 2-1-1 in those contests.

He also notched a pair of goals in Sunday’s shootout loss at Chicago.

Marchand had tallied just a single goal through the first 14 games of the season. He didn’t score his next goal for over a month.

General Manager Peter Chiarelli and President Cam Neely didn’t exactly express their displeasure with Marchand verbatim, but their disappointment with the winger could be sensed. Nevertheless, the club squashed the trade rumors and stuck by Marchand.

Though one thing has been a constant this season and that’s been his play alongside Patrice Bergeron. It was clear getting used to playing with newcomer Loui Eriksson presented difficulty at the onset of the year. After Erkisson suffered a concussion, Reilly Smith replaced him. The trio has flourished together.

Marchand has recorded 12 goals since Smith joined Boston’s top line. He has 14 goals in total on the year.

At just eight games past the halfway point of the season, Marchand could potentially reach his career high 28 goals set back in 2011-2012.

Bergeron’s recent success directly correlates with that of Marchand. The Bruins veteran center has five assists in his last four games. It’s apparent he and Marchand have rediscovered their explosive chemistry.

The Bruins currently sit atop the Atlantic Division with a 31-15-3 record. That record will surely improve if Marchand continues to play like the game-changer he is.