Dollas and Rychel Fuming on Bench

Coach Pierre Page decided to bench veterans Bobby Dollas and Warren Rychel for the second time in three games, and neither player was happy about it before Wednesday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.

“I don’t understand it,” Dollas said. “Just when you think you get older and you think you can stop having to prove yourself. . . . I think I had a good last three or four games.

“If he wants to play head games with a veteran, a 14-year pro, that gets old after a while.”

Said Rychel: “There’s no reason why I’m sitting out. I deserve to play. I’m a big part of this team. I’m really upset. . . . We’re fighting for a playoff spot. We have to have our best lineup in there. With me not in the lineup, it’s not the best lineup--no offense to anyone else.”

Defenseman Jason Marshall returned to the lineup after missing eight games because of a separated right shoulder, replacing Dollas. Jeff Nielsen, a rookie winger, replaced Rychel.

Page has been searching for the right mix to jump-start the Ducks as the season’s second half begins. Dollas, Rychel and Kevin Todd did not play in the Ducks’ 4-1 victory Saturday over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Dollas and Rychel played in Sunday’s 3-3 tie against the Florida Panthers, but Todd did not. Todd returned to the lineup Wednesday.