In this edition of The Detroit News’ OctoPulse podcast, Red Wings beat reporter Ted Kulfan takes a look at the early success of the Red Wings (5-1) heading into Wednesday’s game in Buffalo. Also, former Michigan captain Jacob Truscott is the interview guest.

The Wings have won five straight games and are tied for first in the Atlantic Division with Montreal (5-2). Detroit is fifth in goals against in the NHL, fourth in penalty killing and ninth in offense.

The three rookies (Emmitt Finnie, Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard) have combined for six points in six games, including the first NHL goals for Finnie against the Oilers and Sandin-Pellikka against the Lightning.

Finnie and Brandsegg-Nygard also lead the team with 21 hits each, the only NHL team with two rookies leading in that category.

Here are highlights from episode 131 of The OctoPulse podcast:

â–¶ :45: Red-hot Red Wings banking points

â–¶ 1:30: Dylan Larkin on contributions of three rookies

â–¶ 3:00: Rookies have given team “jolt of energy”

â–¶ 5:00: Larkin “buzzing around” on the ice

â–¶ 5:45: Varsity Ford of Ann Arbor

â–¶ 6:15: Jacob Truscott interview

â–¶ 20:30: Todd McLellan on opening-night 5-1 loss to Montreal

â–¶ 22:30: John Gibson, Cam Talbot “solid” in goal

â–¶ 24:30: Seven of next eight games on the road

Subscribe to Detroit News podcasts

â–¶ iTunes

â–¶ Spotify

Previous OctoPulse podcasts

â–¶ New-look Red Wings begin playoff quest vs. Canadiens

â–¶ JVR returns to Red Wings; Jake Davis interview

â–¶ Yzerman starts Year 7; Gibson in goalie spotlight

OctoPulse guests in alphabetical order

â–¶ A: Trey Augustine, Dave Andrews, Kenny Albert, Kashawn Aitcheson

â–¶ B: Riley Brengman, John Bacon, Red Berenson, Matt Beniers, Scotty Bowman, Joe Bowen, Cooper Black, Phil Bourque, Jason Bukala

â–¶ C: Steve Coates, Leo Carlsson, Mike Cammalleri, Logan Cooley, Caley Chelios, Cole Caufield, Mitchell Clinton, Mellissa Channell-Watkins

â–¶ D: Nate Danielson, Dave Drinkill, Jamie Drysdale, Ken Dryden, Jake Davis

â–¶ E: Cole Eiserman, Simon Edvinsson, Mike Emrick, Emerson Etem

â–¶ F: Jordan Forgione, Everett Fitzhugh, Jim Fox, John Forslund

â–¶ G: Cutter Gauthier, Dylan Guenther, Jerry Green, Stu Grimson, Gerard Gallant, Liam Greentree, Bruce Garrioch

â–¶ H: William Horcoff, Mark Howe, Cross Hanas, Luke Hughes, Murray Howe, Milan Hejduk, Brian Hayward

â–¶ I: Greg Innis

â–¶ J: Kent Johnson

â–¶ K: Joakim Kemell, Mark Kirton, Megan Keller, John Kelly, Mike Keenan, Emily Kaplan

â–¶ L: Ryan Leonard, Nick Libett, Chaz Lucius, Brian Lawton, Pat Lafontaine, Nicklas Lidstrom, Craig Laughlin, Dave Legwand, Bill Lindsay

â–¶ M: Doug MacLean, Al Montoya, Tim Mayer, Wes McCauley, Dan Milstein, Max Namestnikov, Ken Morrow

â–¶ N: Ted Nolan, Frank Nazar, Dwayne Norris, Pat Nagle

â–¶ O: Mark O’Brien

â–¶ P: Madison Packer, Dave Poulin, Gabe Perreault, Jakub Petr, Doug Plagens, Cole Perfetti, Darren Pang, Zayne Parekh, Julie Petry

â–¶ R: Abby Roque, Jason Ross, Manon Rheaume, Lucas Raymond, Marco Rossi, Luc Robitaille, Marcus Ragnarsson, Sam Rosen, Daryl Reaugh

â–¶ S: Riley Sawchuk, Bob Stauffer, Will Smith, John Shannon, Paul Stewart, Moritz Seider, Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, Craig Simpson, Kirsten Simms, Mats Sundin, Brad Stuart

â–¶ T: Tripp Tracy, Bryan Trottier, Tim Taylor, Jacob Truscott

â–¶ V: Rick Vaive

â–¶ W: Paul Woods, Shane Wright, Bob Wilkie

â–¶ Z: Rick Zombo, Trevor Zegras

Want to comment on this story? Become a subscriber today. Click here.