It's hard to see from the standard TV angle but Hayton's initial LW (assuming Hunt, not sure)
was open-ish and Hayton had a lane to him that he did not take. Initial TV angle (impossible to see from here but provided for context):
View attachment 396268
As you can see Hayton has some separation (we're in the purple jerseys for those who didn't see the game in real time), from the above camera angle it appears there is no one to pass to. But, seeing what Hayton sees:
View attachment 396269
Seems open enough, Hayton clearly had time / space to make a play. Esp if you're at your own goal line which we all know is a place where mistakes often lead to goals. Hayton delays for a split second, then he's left with this:
View attachment 396270
At this point imo Hayton could use some air to ice the puck and not feel bad about it. I suppose he
could still pass to Hunt, but if he does that the pass has to be board side (note STL forechecker is forcing Hayton outside and also STL player Clifford has just entered the frame at the right of the screen), if Hayton passes to Hunt's tape, Clifford absolutely crushes Hunt just as the puck would reach him. Also Hunt is skating backwards and it looks like he's not expecting a pass to his right (Hayton's left) which I'm also getting from the position / angle of Hunt's stick, to me looks like he thinks he is about to receive a pass (my guess is he doesn't know Clifford is there). Anyway Hayton doesn't make a decision and the the STL forechecker gets to him. Then we're left with this:
View attachment 396273
And now I have a question and
would love some insight from a position player. AZ's LWer who we think is Hunt is on the ice in decent position, Hayton has just been forced back by the forechecker and might be in trouble deep in your d-zone. I mean... Clifford sees this same play develop and skates to the faceoff dot where he is then able to bury the puck uncontested from a prime scoring area.
Hunt inexplicably decided to go off for a change at this exact moment.
Why would anyone do that?
I honestly have no idea trying to understand. This goal is by no means Hunt's fault, but I'm just trying to see why anyone would decide to leave the ice when your center has pinned himself below the goal line and is likely about to turn the puck over.
Screenshots thx to NHL.com and the STL feed