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ST. LOUIS \u2014 TNT\u2019s NHL intermission panel repeatedly ripped the Blackhawks<\/a> last season. On Wednesday, they lauded them.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can tell their confidence is different,\u201d panelist Henrik Lundqvist said. \u201cIt\u2019s a different team to watch now compared to last year.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hawks earned that praise and took a substantial first step toward changing their reputation around the league by crushing the Blues 8-3.<\/p>\n It was a statement win for the team, marking their largest road margin of victory since November 2019. It was also a statement game for Connor Bedard, who recorded three assists and showcased the never-back-down attitude he has brought into his third NHL season.<\/p>\n \u201cI was very critical in a few clips last year of [Bedard] swinging away, maybe looking a little bit disinterested,\u201d TNT panelist Paul Bissonnette said. \u201cFrom watching this game…his compete level is through the roof. He\u2019s winning stick battles, puck battles. He\u2019s taking physical abuse, laughing and saying, \u2018Hey, you aren\u2019t going to change anything about the way I\u2019m approaching this.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Inside the Hawks\u2019 locker room, two factors created extra motivation. The first was seeking revenge for last year\u2019s embarrassing loss in the Winter Classic, which Frank Nazar said the Hawks will \u201cthink about it every time\u201d they face the Blues moving forward.<\/p>\n