First, the players on this team showed up to camp unprepared for the season. It's Only a guess but back to back summers of weddings, European travel, partying, and not enough off - season training may have caught up to them this year. Off-season training is more than just conditioning, it is a mind set, a singular focus on what has to be done to be ready for the next season. Too many players were lacking.
Secondly, Sweeney dropped ball. He even stated at the beginning of the year that the team was not a finished product, that there were areas they needed to address. The lack of offense depth falls completely on Sweeney. He has done almost nothing to address the need for offensive help.
Top consistent offensive forward threats on this team are Pastrnak and aging Marchand, with Pastrnak carrying this team. After that there is a significant drop to Geekie and Zacha. And more of a drop to Lindholm. After that there isn't much. This falls on Sweeney. Losing six of the last seven games by one goal is frustrating. We have known for months this team needed offensive help and Sweeney for whatever reason refused to address the need. So here we are.
Shouldn't be too surprised by lack of moves though. Swayman's contract handcuffed the team cap wise from making moves of addition. But maybe a shuffling of the some under performing players for some new ones might have helped, but we will never know.
Move the deadwood at the trade deadline gather some new assets, and if the right opportunity is there get rid of anyone who is just going through the motions and doesn't show any urgency or desire. Sweeney likes to build his team in the summer and usually tweak at the deadline, so some of the bigger trades may wait until then. There are exceptions, but Sweeney is still somewhat handcuffed. We have five days to get some answers.