I think they figured that Canada would be better in Men's by a spot or two, and Ice Dancing by a couple of spots, while Russia would only be better in Pairs by a spot, and Women's by a spot or two. Essentially, Men's and Women's would cancel each other out, and Canada would do better in Ice Dancing than Russia in Pairs.
Obviously, it didn't work out that way, and perhaps the fact that it was a new sport had something to do to it. SI did qualify their prediction somewhat saying that Plushenko would be the wild card. He performed very well, and Russia walked away with the gold.