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Rugged defenseman Tyler Tucker spent most of his first three months this season toiling for the Springfield Thunderbirds in the American Hockey League.

Back then, he appeared to be buried on the depth chart. Then-coach Drew Bannister had more confidence in Matt Kessel, who had excelled for him in the minors. The Blues also opened the season with former Hobey Baker winner Scott Perunovich and veteran P.O Joseph.

Back then, Tucker couldn’t have imagined fans would be chanting his name during a raucous Blues playoff victory in April.

But that was the scene Sunday afternoon at Enterprise Center as the Blues were finishing off the Winnipeg Jets 5-1 to pull even in their best-of-seven series at 2-2.

Tucker scored a pivotal goal in the victory, blasting a slap shot past Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the right point. He hit the net with another shot from the right point, then tracked the rebound and fired just wide from the slot.

He landed two hits and earned two takeaways while posting a plus-1 rating during his 21 shifts. He also goaded Adam Lowry into a roughing penalty and then declined to retaliate.

Alas, Tucker’s fan salute was bittersweet. It came after he suffered a serious-looking leg injury during a corner collision with Jets forward Brandon Tanev.

Tucker heard that chant while he was being helped off the ice with his availability for further playoff action very much in doubt.

“He’s been a big part of this team for a long time,� fellow Blues defenseman Colton Parayko said. “He’s a great player, a great defender. We’re lucky to have him. He’s there in all situations. We just hope everything is OK.�

Blues coach Jim Montgomery didn’t have an update on Tucker after the game. Ryan Suter, who played ahead of Tucker in Game 1 of this series, seems likely to slot in for him when the series resumes Wednesday night in Winnipeg.

Regardless of what happens with Tucker during the rest of the postseason, his success against the Jets added to his growth in this campaign.

Like Jake Neighbours, Zack Bolduc and newly signed Jimmy Snuggerud, Tucker seized the opportunity this playoff battle presented. The Blues wanted to contend and build at the same time this season — and Tucker was one of the young guys who made that happen.

After sitting out Game 1, Tucker entered the playoffs when Montgomery shifted to seven defensemen and 11 forwards. Then, Montgomery stuck with Tucker in Games 3 and 4 at the expense of Suter while reverting back to six defensemen and 12 forwards.

Tucker was one of the difference-makers in Game 4.

“His goal was huge for us getting the lead and being able to play with the lead,� Montgomery said. “I thought he was really aggressive tonight. I thought that was the best game of the three games. I thought he was physical.�

The Blues missed him during the last few minutes of the game Sunday after his injury. The frustrated Jets acted out again, just as they did at the end of their 7-2 loss in Game 3.

They were running around the rink, looking to take their frustrations out with cheap shots. Tucker’s willingness and ability to address situations helped get Tucker into the NHL while he was still developing his game.

There were reasons to doubt his NHL trajectory after he turned pro. Yes, he loved to hit. Yes, he possessed a big shot.

Yes, he always came ready to fight, should the need arise.

But Tucker’s ability to turn, recover and defend the rush — well, that has remained a work in progress. His tripping penalty midway through the first period Sunday spoke to that.

Tucker was about to get caught in the offensive zone as the Jets were taking off the other way, so he had to use his stick.

His game has continued improving, though. His toughness plus his ability to generate offense earned third-paring work as the defensive corps evolved.

The Blues traded Perunovich and Joseph. Armstrong added Cam Fowler, who jumped into a primary role. Nick Leddy returned after missing much of the season with injury. Parayko returned late in the season after missing time with his injury.

But even as Fowler starred and Leddy and Parayko got healthy, Tucker stayed in the picture.

After shuttling between the AHL and Blues for the past three seasons, Tucker proved he was ready to stick with a more polished overall game.

“He’s a really good offensive defenseman,� Montgomery said. “And it shows with how he gets shots off. They don’t get blocked. It’s because he puts himself in a shot-ready mindset.�

Tucker’s development is most important. He is 25 years old. While Philip Broberg is just 23 and Kessel is 24, Parayko is 31, Fowler and Justin Faulk are 33, Leddy is 34 and Suter is 40.

The Blues need to get younger on the blue line. Top prospects Theo Lindstein and Adam Jiricek are likely a few years away from making an impact. This is Tucker’s time to establish himself in the NHL.

He was doing just that before getting hurt Sunday. His breakthrough is just one more positive storyline in a Blues season full of them.