You missed copy/pasting the part where Campbell said "you could probably use [Rule 38.4(ix)] but i think it has to be a discussion [before expanding use of that rule]."
You don't just start expanding use / interpretation of any rule mid-way thru round 3.
Based on how the rule is read, it could have been applied, but the officials and the league all showed they have no balls. The way the officials quickly skated off the ice, like they just robbed a bank, said it all.
You and I must've been watching a different game then. They huddled for a minute or two before leaving. Ultimately, the conversation was "Did you see it?" x4 ... "Nope" x4. "Are hand passes reviewable"... "Nope" x4. What more is there to talk about? There's nothing to announce to the arena or to debrief with the Captains/coaches. Call on the ice was a goal; the game is over.
It was a missed/bad call, and these four have been benched now. On and off ice officiating is governed by the Governors/owners. And if there isn't a general consensus (let alone an official vote) that this specific rule can/should be used is wide use, it's not up to the four zebras on the ice - or the situation room - to make that decision midway thru the 3rd round. It's a no win situation for them in that moment.
To clarify, I meant after their brief huddle. They gave no explanation to the Blues, just bolted once they decided. And one of them did a hand pass motion when they were discussing it, almost like he thought maybe he saw it, and in that instance, that is when the above rule can be applied. Get with the league and get their assistance to confirm it is a good goal or not, but they were gutless and just decided to call it a good goal even though one of them clearly had some doubt and bolted like their asses were on fire.
The fact that the league had still not made an official statement about it is shameful. We only know about these 4 clowns not working again this playoff because Colin Campbell emailed it to someone in the press. There has been no statement, no apology to the Blues organization. Not that that makes it better (the ass raping the Blues got will still stand), but a good organization would have been on top of this right away. But this is the NHL...
Edit: correction, Campbell said it on a radio show, I believe.