SAN JOSE, Calif.--At this point of the season when the contests don't matter in the standings--the preseason doesn't even begin for another week--wins and losses aren't the most important things on NHL teams minds.

It's more about developing players and engraining the system that they want to play in their minds. That way when the regular season does arrive, everyone is on the same page for the 82-game marathon.

The Colorado Avalanche was aiming for just that the past four days at the San Jose Sharks Prospect Showcase.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--The Colorado Avalanche closes out the Prospect Showcase with 1 p.m. MT game on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The outing will be streamed live online for free.

It will be Colorado's second game in a matter of 17 hours after the club lost 4-3 in overtime to the Arizona Coyotes on Monday night.

The Colorado Avalanche rookies dropped their second contest of the Prospect Showcase, but it wasn't for a lack of effort.

Colorado erased a three-goal deficit in the second period and had several good looks to win it late in the third frame and in overtime, but the Avs ended up falling 4-3.

Here are five things we learned about the Avalanche rookies after their second game of the Prospect Showcase.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--Colorado Avalanche prospects erased a three-goal deficit to force overtime Monday night but couldn't pull out the victory, falling 4-3 to the Arizona Coyotes at the Prospect Showcase at Solar4America Ice.

Arizona's Nick Merkley tallied the game-winner 1:54 into the extra fame as he snuck the puck past goaltender Petr Kvaca's pads while on a breakaway.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--The Colorado Avalanche takes on the Arizona Coyotes in its second contest of the Prospect Showcase on Monday night at Solar4America Ice.

Game time is at 8 p.m. MT. Every contest of the showcase is being streamed live online.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--Colorado Avalanche rookie camp is a building process to the team's NHL training camp in less than a week, and the main focus is to get the young players ready to compete with the veterans. Understanding the structure that the club will play with for the upcoming season is a big part of being able to hang with the big boys, so to speak.

Sunday was another stepping stone for the Avs prospects, as they returned to the practice ice to review the previous night's Prospect Showcase game against the San Jose Sharks.

Forward A.J. Greer got his first taste of NHL action last year, and now he wants more as he prepares to enter his second professional campaign.

Greer only had a five-game stint with the Colorado Avalanche in November 2016, but the time in Denver left an impression on him and helped drive him as he readied himself for 2017-18. He's aiming to get back to the top level of hockey and stay there.

The Colorado Avalanche began play in its second-ever rookie tournament on Saturday, as the team's prospects took on those of the San Jose Sharks at Solar4America Ice in San Jose.

Colorado hosted the exhibition last year and went on to win both games against the Sharks and Anaheim Ducks to be crowned event champions.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--A big third period was exactly what the host San Jose Sharks needed in the first game of the Prospect Showcase.

The Sharks tallied four goals in the final frame and defeated the defending tournament champion Colorado Avalanche 7-4 on Saturday afternoon at Solar4America Ice.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--The Colorado Avalanche opens the Prospect Showcase on Saturday with a meeting against the host San Jose Sharks at Solar4America Ice.

Game time is set for 5 p.m. MT, and the contest will be streamed live online.