When a pro hockey player turns 30, chances are there's still a few years left in the tank.

For Nathan Horton, however, the reality is he may never play again as a result of a degenerative back injury that kept him off the ice for all of the 2014-15 season.

Now a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs - on paper, at least - Horton is celebrating his 30th birthday Friday, and told Joe McDonald of ESPN he's trying to stay positive while refusing to give up hope on a potential comeback.

Yeah, I'm doing all right; I'm living my life. Obviously, my back's not great but I have my good days and some OK days. I'm just taking it easy. Eventually it's going to go away -- I hope. I'm just enjoying my life. I'm healthy and I'm happy. It's obviously tough because I want to play. It's only my 30th birthday today, so I know I'm still young. Life gives you curveballs and I'm just trying to be positive and that's pretty much all I can do.

Friday also features Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers, four years after Horton scored the game-winning goal in a similar situation against the former, propelling the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup Final.

While he wasn't able to play out that run after being concussed in Game 3 of the Final, it's a memory he will carry with him regardless of whether he's able to play again.

"That was a crazy game; I remember everything that happened," he said of the Game 7 win over the Lightning in 2011. "It was such a great feeling. You can't describe the feeling. I still think about it and it still gives me chills. I'll never forget it. It was so amazing."

In 627 career games, Horton - drafted third overall in 2003 - recorded 203 goals and 218 assists. He also scored 15 goals and added 21 assists in 43 playoff games with the Bruins, advancing to the postseason only twice in his career.