The Avalanche presently holds the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference with 93 points, one point behind the Kings for the first position and one point ahead of the ninth-place St. Louis Blues, who have played one fewer game.
Wilson participated in today's optional morning skate in a regular, burgundy practice jersey and will skate on the Avs' fourth line with center J.T. Compher and left wing Gabriel Bourque.
"I'm feeling good," Wilson said. "I got some practices with the team, came out for pre-game skate feeling good, so I'm ready to go."
Playing meaningful games late in the season is nothing new for Wilson, who played playoff hockey in six of his previous eight seasons with the Nashville Predators.
When the remaining games get down to single digits, Wilson says it's important to focus on the process. That is particularly the case when it then becomes time to play a seven-game series.
"Especially when you get to the playoffs, there are so many ups and downs, so much going on with the ebb and flow of the game that you just have to stay centered," Wilson said. "I think we just need to take that going in to try and make playoffs."
There are similarities between this year's Avalanche squad and the Predators club that Wilson was on last year that won the Western Conference and reached the Stanley Cup Final.
Nashville made the postseason as the second wild card and played meaningful games down the stretch of the regular season to secure a spot. Colorado is doing the same right now.
"We were the last wild-card spot and we're trying to get in there," Wilson recalled. "Once you get into the playoffs, anything can happen. You just want to get there, get your position and go from there."
The contest at Los Angeles in the second stop of the Avalanche's three-city tour of California, the team's last road trip of the season.
The Avs control their own destiny with three of their final four opponents being in a similar spot to them in the standings. Colorado picked up a point on Sunday in a 4-3 overtime loss at the Anaheim Ducks and need two more tonight to keep pace in the tight playoff race.
There also might be a little payback in order after the Kings handed the Avalanche a 7-1 loss in that last meeting 10 days ago in Denver.
"Maybe, but I think it's bigger picture at this point," Wilson said. "With only three games left, everybody is looking at playoffs. That was a bit of a shellacking out there, but I think we're just going to try and get that playoff spot."
