Balancing quality of service and power saving in a direct communication link environment

A first network device in communication with a second network device via a wireless communication link provides an indication to the second network device that the first network device will enter a power save mode. While operating in the power save mode, the first network device periodically transmits a trigger frame to the second network device to determine whether the second network device comprises buffered frames for the first network device. The first network device receives the buffered frames from the second network device responsive to transmitting the trigger frame. In another example, if both the first and the second network devices operate in the power save mode, the first network device receives a notification of available buffered frames from the second network device. The first network device transmits buffered frames destined for the second network device prior to transmitting a response to the received notification.