Kasperi Kapanen, Andrew Ebbett score in first period, Penguins beat Blue Jackets 2-1

Columbus Blue Jackets' Brett Ponich (81) tries to get around Pittsburgh Penguins' Zach Sill (38) in the second period of the NHL pre-season hockey game, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (The Associated Press)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Kasperi Kapanen (42) joins the celebration with teammates Oskar Sundqvist (49), Christian Ehrhoff (10) on the goal by Andrew Ebbett (25) against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first period of the NHL pre-season hockey game, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (The Associated Press)

PITTSBURGH – Kasperi Kapanen and Andrew Ebbett scored in the first period to help the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 on Saturday in an exhibition game.

Penguins forward Sidney Crosby was expected to make his preseason debut, but skipped the game because of the death of his grandmother.

Kapanen roofed a shot past goalie Sergei Bobrovsky on a power play at 5:52, and Andrew Ebbett scored 5:52 later. Marc-Andre Fleury has 18 saves for Pittsburgh (2-2-0).

Former Penguins forward Brian Gibbons scored for Columbus (4-1-0) early in the third.

Bobrovsky finished with 29 saves.