The forward missed the final nine games of the regular season with an upper-body injury and did not play in a 4-3 overtime win in Game 1 of the best-of-7 series Monday.
Vilardi took part in an optional morning skate Tuesday and was on the ice for the morning skate Wednesday. He tied for fourth on the Kings during the regular season with 23 goals and was seventh with 41 points, each an NHL career high, in 63 games this season.
"I'm just going to try and contribute in any way that is tonight and hopefully, we can get another win," Vilardi said. "The playoffs, it picks up a bit with the pace and you have to think faster out there. I think I've prepared as well as you can without playing a game. There is going to be some adjusting tonight, and hopefully that time is limited, and I'm confident it'll happen pretty quick."
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Vilardi played two Stanley Cup Playoff games with Los Angeles last season, having three shots and a combined ice time of 19:52 in Games 3 and 4 of a seven-game loss to Edmonton in the first round.
"We won Game 1 and we want to win Game 2," he said. "We go the same way, same mindset every night. It's another game we're looking to win."
Kings coach Todd McLellan said there would be no limitations or restrictions on Vilardi's minutes but didn't say where he would play in the lineup.
"Nope. Just play," McLellan said. "I'm going to let you guys solve that one once the game starts."
Los Angeles is hoping to avoid a repeat of last season, when they won 4-3 in Game 1 here before being shut out 6-0 in Game 2.
"Last year is -- I want to say I'm grateful for the experience because now we know, we were in the same situation," Kings defenseman Sean Durzi said. "You can't get too comfortable. It's one game. We expect a push and we know they are going to be coming hard. We've got to be ready to go. … We're both two different teams now. Grateful for the experience but definitely moved on."
NHL.com staff writer Derek Van Diest contributed to this report
