(Sports Network) - The Columbus Blue Jackets will close a five-game road trip tonight with a stop in Chicago to take on the Blackhawks at the United Center.

Columbus won the opener of the swing last Thursday in Phoenix before dropping back-to-back games in Dallas and Colorado. The Blue Jackets made a return trip to Dallas on Tuesday and this time left with a 4-2 victory.

In the 46th game of his career, rookie defenseman Kris Russell netted his first two NHL goals. The 20-year-old Russell, who was a third-round pick in 2005, also has five assists on the season.

Andrew Murray and Rick Nash also tallied, Nikolai Zherdev had three assists and Pascal Leclaire made 31 saves for the Blue Jackets, who have won five of their last seven overall and are tied for second in the Central Division with Nashville. Both clubs are 24 points back of Detroit.

Leclaire, tied for the league lead in shutouts with seven, is 5-1-0 over his last six starts with a 2.48 goals-against average.

Columbus was again without Sergei Fedorov for the game and placed the center on injured reserve before the test due to concussion-like symptoms. Murray, meanwhile as activated off IR after missing five games because of a concussion.

The Blue Jackets have lost four of their last six on the road and are 8-14-2 away from Columbus this year. They will return home to host Phoenix on Tuesday after the All-Star break.

Chicago plays its last home game for some time. Following tonight's test at the United Center, the Blackhawks begin a seven-game road trip after the All- Star break.

In fact, Chicago won't play at home again until February 17.

The Blackhawks were in San Jose on Tuesday and fell to the Sharks, 3-2. Jack Skille and Adam Burish lit the lamp for the Blackhawks, who had a four-game winning streak broken. Jacob Dowell registered the first assist of his career on Burish's marker, while Burish's goal was the first of his career.

With netminder Nikolai Khabibulin on a personal seven-game losing streak (0-6-1), Patrick Lalime made his fifth consecutive start and gave up three goals on 23 shots.

Khabibulin hasn't played since January 11, with Lalime going 4-1-0 since with a 1.52 GAA.

Chicago is last in the Central Division, four points behind the Blue Jackets, and is 13-21-1 at home after losing four of its past five at the United Center.

Columbus has won two of three against Chicago this year and five of the last eight meetings overall in the series. The Blue Jackets have dropped two of three and three of their last five in the Windy City.