Hockey is a constant pursuit of controlling a chaotic, unpredictable environment. The Colorado Avalanche is fortunate to start this season with three of the best players in the world — a base of stability that is the envy of 31 other NHL clubs.

Nathan MacKinnon scores with 40.1 seconds left in overtime to lift the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-3 victory over the Ducks to their first win of the season.

MacKinnon skated in from the neutral zone and beat Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal on a wrist shot from the slot. The goal came after Troy Terry tied it for Anaheim with 13 seconds left in the third period with a wrist shot from the left circle and Dostal pulled for the extra skater.

At first glance, it looked like a quiet evening in the National Hockey League last night. Only three games were on the schedule, but there was plenty of action, and plenty of goals. Here’s a rundown of the evening’s games.

Nathan MacKinnon scored with 40.1 seconds left on the clock in overtime and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 for their first win of the season.

The Avalanche overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in overtime and picked up their first win of the season at Ball Arena on Friday. Casey Mittelstadt scored the Avalanche's first goal, Ross Colton scored the team's second and third goals, and Nathan MacKinnon scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

Following an emotional victory in their home opener on Wednesday, the Ducks traveled to Denver to take on the Avalanche for a brief one-game road trip. Game #4: Ducks vs. Avalanche Gameday Preview The Avs entered play in this game winless with a 0-4-0 record and their goaltending combining for a .