NBC (the broadcast network - I don't get NBC Universal Sports) did sort of explain what Chan did right. He said he gets an extra 15 points or so because he does basic skating skills nicely.
(1) AFAICT, his back stayed almost perfectly straight throughout the entire skate. He only rotated and twisted at and below the waist and in the neck. The main torso didn't flex significantly forward or back, or sideways, nor did it twist significantly - all issues which none of the other televised skaters could match. According to the TV sportscaster, a flat back is good.
(2) His edges were very deeply leaned. None of the other televised skaters were as good in this.
(3) His knees bent very deeply. None of the other televised skaters were as good in this.
(4) He accelerates up to speed very quickly.
I'm no expert, but I tried to compare these issues in all the televised skating performances, which included the several top male and female freestyle skaters, and the top American Dance couple. Second to Chan in all these basic areas was Ashley Wagner. [BTW, she maintained the flat back most of the time, except when doing flexibility moves. Chan didn't do any major flexibility moves.] [BTW, I didn't compare (4) very carefully, so am not sure that Chan was really better in this.]
The television audience largely ignores these basic skating skills. It's all in the falls and jumps.
I'm not competent to determine whether or not the skaters were scored and ranked appropriately. I was honestly surprised that Chan won, but I don't really understand how judging works.
But it is nice to see Chan and Wagner paying attention to some of the basic things that coaches drilled into me at at much lower skating levels.
[The sportscaster also mentioned that Chan had great flow transitioning between a couple moves, but I don't fully understand what that means, and couldn't compare.]