Shut Mac mini down with power button on log in screen - external hd connected. can this cause corrupted data?

Hello I have to ask for anyone who would know the specifics:

my external hard drive is always connected to my Mac - I ALWAYS eject before shutting down

the other day I turned off my Mac whilst it was on the log in screen with the power button -do external hard drives automatically connect before you log in ? it is a Mac passport external hard drive...

I dont want corrupted data on my hard drive

the ONLY plugin related app on my Mac that opens automatically on log in is "NKTDAEMON" and that isn't on the external hard drive - but native instruments related files are stored on the external hard drive

kind regards,

Joe